Visitor arrivals surge 6pc to 5.46m high in August

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, 5.46 million visitors arrived in the city during August, marking the highest monthly figure since the COVID-19 pandemic. This represents a year-on-year increase of six percent. The surge in visitor numbers was attributed to various major international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, as well as prominent events such as the Hong Kong Football Festival.

The festival successfully attracted a diverse range of visitors and boosted arrivals from the Chinese mainland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and other source markets. Notably, tourists from long-haul markets experienced the most significant growth, increasing by 18 percent to approximately 289,490 visitors. Overall, in the first eight months of the year, around 36.67 million visitors have set foot in Hong Kong, reflecting an 11 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The board highlighted that the Chinese mainland and long-haul markets maintained stable overall performance, while short-haul markets continued to face challenges due to factors like flight capacity, fuel surcharges, and regional competition. Short-haul visitors experienced a four percent decline, totaling about four million. Looking ahead, the board plans to enhance promotional efforts for upcoming festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Halloween, expand the scale of flagship mega events to attract more visitors, and continue collaborating with the tourism and business sectors to promote unique Hong Kong experiences.

By focusing on high-value-added overnight travelers, the board aims to drive economic growth in the region.