Hong Kong recorded a 4.8 per cent increase in mainland Chinese visitors in the first three days of the Labour Day “Golden Week” holiday, but industry players warned that uneven spending and more flexible travel patterns could weigh on business despite hotel occupancy rates potentially reaching 90 per cent.
Immigration Department data showed mainlanders made 714,765 visits into the city between May 1 and 3, up by about 4.8 per cent from 682,114 in the same period last year.
Total visitor arrivals, including overseas travellers, reached 854,929 over the three days – also slightly up from last year’s 803,612.
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Golden week is the name coined to refer to the holiday week in China which follows National Day on October 1, as well as the holiday week around Chinese New Year and the holiday week around May Day.
The data also showed strong outbound travel by Hong Kong residents, with more than 1 million departures recorded over the first three days of the holiday, albeit 3.3 per cent lower year on year.
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Early feedback from the catering sector suggested the increase in footfall had not translated evenly into spending, particularly at upscale restaurants.