As the May 1st Golden Week holiday kicked off on May 1, 2025, Hong Kong has once again emerged as a favored destination for mainland tourists, with over 7,700 visitors arriving on the first day alone. The Hong Kong Tourism Board reported that 258 tour groups from the mainland visited the city, marking a significant recovery as the number of visitors exceeded half of the total from the pre-epidemic Golden Week.
The influx of tourists is a welcome sign for Hong Kong's economy, which has been gradually rebounding from the impacts of the pandemic. The Tourism Board's Executive Director, Anne Fang, expressed optimism about the situation, stating, "We prepared extensively to ensure smooth transportation and visitor flow. We want everyone to enjoy their experience without causing congestion at popular spots." This sentiment reflects a broader industry strategy to enhance the tourist experience and accommodate the anticipated surge in visitors.
Many of the tourists are drawn to Hong Kong's unique attractions, including its renowned shopping districts and cultural landmarks. A tourist from Beijing shared her shopping experience, saying, "I bought a necklace for around 3,000 yuan; the prices here are a bit cheaper than in Beijing where gold costs about 1,000 yuan per gram." This highlights the ongoing appeal of Hong Kong as a shopping haven for mainland visitors.
In addition to shopping, many tourists have diverse itineraries planned. A woman named Song expressed her excitement about visiting Hong Kong Disneyland, noting that she believes it offers a different experience compared to Shanghai Disneyland. She also plans to immerse herself in Hong Kong's local culture, stating, "I’m interested in the architecture and taking photos of the city’s unique style." This reflects a growing trend among mainland tourists who seek cultural experiences alongside traditional sightseeing.
Another visitor, Ms. Luo, outlined her plans to visit Victoria Peak and the University of Hong Kong, where she hopes to meet friends. She also expressed enthusiasm for trying local delicacies, particularly Hong Kong cart noodles. Meanwhile, Mr. Yan plans a more spontaneous trip, indicating that he looks forward to exploring local snacks and shopping without a strict agenda.
The Hong Kong gastronomy scene is also set to benefit from the influx of mainland tourists. Many restaurants and bars are gearing up for the holiday, with industry representatives predicting a business increase of 5% to 15% compared to last year. One restaurant chain is promoting traditional dim sum carts on the mainland social platform Xiaohongshu, successfully attracting customers and estimating a 10% increase in business during the Golden Week.
As the holiday progresses, various sectors are adapting to enhance the visitor experience. Hotels are offering themed rooms, such as panda-themed accommodations, to attract families and young tourists. Zhang Qiteng, a director of a hotel chain, noted that the occupancy rate has already exceeded 90% for the first three days of the holiday, with some hotels fully booked.
Public transport has also been ramped up to accommodate the expected surge in visitors. The Immigration Department anticipates around 5.71 million inbound and outbound trips during the holiday period, with nearly 200,000 trips recorded by 10 AM on the first day alone. The Lok Ma Chau border crossing saw the highest number of visitors, with about 17,300 travelers entering, including approximately 13,200 from the mainland.
To manage the flow of visitors, transportation services have been enhanced. The East Rail Line will increase train frequency to as often as every 5 minutes during peak hours, while shuttle bus services connecting various ports will also see heightened operations. This proactive approach aims to ensure that tourists can navigate the city easily and enjoy their stay.
In terms of nightlife, bars in popular areas like Central and Tsim Sha Tsui are preparing for a busy week, with the bar industry seeing a significant increase in mainland customers, rising from 5% to 15% over the past three years. Qian Yiyong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Industry Association, expects business to grow by 5% to 10% during the Golden Week, as younger tourists seek out trendy venues to experience the local nightlife.
Moreover, the government has taken steps to attract more visitors by inviting over 650 key opinion leaders (KOLs) and influencers to share their experiences in Hong Kong. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to leverage social media for promoting the city’s unique offerings and attracting a diverse range of tourists.
Overall, the May 1st Golden Week is shaping up to be a significant boost for Hong Kong’s tourism sector, with various industries preparing to welcome visitors with open arms. The combination of cultural attractions, shopping opportunities, and enhanced services is expected to create a memorable experience for mainland tourists, further solidifying Hong Kong's status as a top travel destination in the region.
