'HK saw strong Golden Week tourism numbers'

Hong Kong experienced robust tourism numbers during the National Day Golden Week, exceeding government expectations. According to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the city welcomed over 1.4 million visitors, surpassing projections. Fanny Yeung, the council's executive director, highlighted a surge in mainland visitors, with an average of 202,000 daily arrivals between the 1st and 7th of October, marking a 15 percent year-on-year increase.

The trend towards independent travel and personalized experiences widened the scope of businesses benefiting from the tourism boom, contributing to a more diversified and sustainable tourism economy. The upcoming Huanggang port, set to open soon, is anticipated to further bolster Hong Kong's tourism performance over the medium to long term.

Carrel Kam, vice-chairman of the Institute of Dining Professionals, noted a strong demand at eateries across tourist areas, with restaurants and food and beverage outlets thriving. Despite similar average spending, the rise in visitors favored local experiences over luxury shopping. Social media platforms, such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin, played a significant role in driving tourism, with businesses reporting up to a 20 percent increase in patronage through social media promotions.

Kam emphasized the importance of collaboration between the catering sector and other industries to sustain this momentum as Hong Kong prepares for upcoming mega events during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.