Hong Kong visitor arrivals hit post-pandemic monthly high in August
Hong Kong has recorded its highest monthly number of visitors since the Covid-19 pandemic, provisional official figures show, with authorities attributing August’s total to a series of international conferences and mega-events. The Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Tuesday that the city received 5.46 million visitors across the month, up 6 per cent from a year earlier and the highest monthly total…
In August 2023, Hong Kong recorded its highest monthly visitor arrivals since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to provisional official figures. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) reported a total of 5.46 million visitors, marking a 6% increase compared to the same month last year and the highest monthly total since the pandemic began.
The surge in arrivals was primarily driven by international conferences and mega-events, including the 16th Worldwide Chinese Life Insurance Congress, the 2026 IDA Annual Conference, the Hong Kong Football Festival 2026, and the TMElive International Music Awards.
Provisional data indicated that 4.6 million of the August visitors were from mainland China, representing an 8% increase year-on-year. Long-haul arrivals grew by 18% to 289,489, while short-haul visitors from new markets rose by 10% to over 65,000. However, short-haul visitors from outside the mainland saw a decline of 16% to approximately 405,000.
For the first eight months of 2023, Hong Kong welcomed 36.7 million visitors, a 11% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Mainland Chinese visitors accounted for more than 28.7 million, a 13% growth. The city also received about 4 million short-haul visitors, down 4% year-on-year, while long-haul arrivals rose 19% to 2.6 million. Visitors from new markets increased by 15% to 550,000.
Tourism board officials attributed the rise in August arrivals to the aforementioned events and emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by the short-haul market. They highlighted upcoming flagship events such as the Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, New Year countdown celebrations, and the International Lantern Spectacular, which featured festive displays from 20 countries at Victoria Park during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The HKTB vowed to collaborate with partners across the tourism and business sectors to promote unique "Only in Hong Kong" experiences and drive the economy through tourism.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
