Hotels almost fully booked for Golden Week holiday

The tourism industry in Hong Kong is bracing for a record-breaking influx of visitors during the National Day Golden Week holiday, which runs from October 1 to 7. According to Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, bookings at small-to-medium-sized hotels are nearly full due to the close proximity of the Mid-Autumn festival this year.

Chui explained that mainland travelers could extend their break by three extra days if they take time off after the Mid-Autumn Festival, resulting in a 13-day holiday. On average, visitors are expected to stay for two nights in the city. Chui added that the popularity of the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival at Victoria Park, which has gone viral on social media, is a major draw for tourists.

Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, predicts a surge in business for local eateries, with Chinese restaurants potentially seeing a 10 to 15 percent increase in patronage during the period. The daily total for businesses is estimated to reach an impressive HK$250 million. Freeman Cheung, vice president of the Hong Kong Guangdong Boundary Crossing Bus Association, revealed that bus services have been increased to every five to 10 minutes from the previous 15 to 20 minutes.

Cheung expects over 30,000 mainland visitors to travel to Hong Kong via Shenzhen Bay port, and companies have increased their workforce by assigning extra backup drivers.