Mainland transit gives Hongkongers option for Europe trips amid Middle East war

Long-haul travel from Hong Kong to Europe has increasingly bypassed Middle Eastern transit due to safety concerns stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran, according to Hong Kong travel agents. Alex Lee Chun-ting, general manager of Miramar Travel, anticipates a modest 3 percent year-on-year increase in demand for these trips. The shift is partly attributed to the availability of direct long-haul flights, typically through Shanghai or Beijing, which tend to be more expensive but costlier Middle Eastern stopovers.

Lee noted that some mainland airlines have offered group discounts for these routes, attracting the attention of travel agencies. He also highlighted that flights to London via the mainland were, on average, between HK$1,000 to HK$2,000 cheaper than direct flights, excluding fuel surcharges and taxes. Carmen Chan Hiu-nam, COO of Goldjoy Holidays, reported that about half of their European tour customers chose to transit via the mainland in March and April, with 30 percent requesting refunds and the rest postponing their travels.

Chan explained that most of these travelers were for practical reasons, such as study, work, or family visits, rather than leisure. Lee attributed a single-digit percentage year-on-year rise in demand to the popularity of mainland travel and the convenience of high-speed rail. EGL Tours' Steve Huen Kwok-chuen expects a 20 percent increase in travel to the mainland, citing improved facilities and a favorable exchange rate.

However, many travelers are still cautious about planning summer holidays, possibly due to high fuel surcharges slowing tour group bookings by around 10 percent compared to the previous year.