Despite a drop in restaurant customers at the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, Hong Kong’s tourism-related industries expressed optimism regarding the upcoming National Day “golden week” holiday and beyond.
Industry leaders proposed events catering to all residents and tourists, increased packages, and improved service and transportation arrangements for iconic events. They believe these measures will facilitate Hong Kong’s diverse festival celebrations and showcase new sports facilities, enhancing its appeal amid intense competition.
Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, reported that restaurant businesses saw a 10 to 15 percent year-on-year drop in sales during the recent Mid-Autumn Festival.
He highlighted the effect of many Hong Kong people heading to the Chinese mainland for consumption, and the lower average spending power of mainland tourists.
The Mid-Autumn Festival fell on Tuesday this year, with Hong Kong observing a public holiday on Wednesday, and the mainland’s holiday running from Sunday to Tuesday. Both regions celebrate the festival as an important time for family reunions and leisure activities.
In some years, the festival — occurring on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar — coincides with the National Day holiday in early October, creating an extended holiday period on the mainland and providing more opportunities for cross-border tourism.
However, this year’s relatively short holiday didn’t have such an impact. Samuel Xia Yongping, head of the Greater Bay Area department of China International Travel Service Shenzhen, said that the number of tourist groups from his company visiting Hong Kong during the festival was about 20 percent lower than it was last year.
Nevertheless, Wong maintains a positive outlook for the mainland’s seven-day National Day holiday from Oct 1 to 7, highlighting the effect of the government’s introduction of over 400 activities on boosting retail and dining businesses.
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said that more than half of the high-speed rail tickets from Shenzhen to Hong Kong on Oct 1 have already been sold.
To better serve incoming tourists, Chui suggests the city keep enhancing travel products and services, especially those showcasing Hong Kong’s historical and cultural richness.
Wong called on the government to launch large-scale events that engage the entire population of the city — rather than only feature specificregions or groups — to make a stronger impression to tourists.
Xia said that because of the relatively high prices for hotel rooms and other services, Hong Kong is gradually losing its appeal to some mainland tourists, who have downgraded their spending budget amid an economic downturn.
He suggested that both Hong Kong and the mainland work together by enhancing promotion efforts on the mainland and providing more discounts in the special administrative region, especially in terms of dining and wine packages as well as hotel discounts for tourist groups.
Chui said he expects that the concerts by world-renowned British rock band Coldplay could draw more tourists for overnight stays and boost spending. On Thursday, the seven-time Grammy winner announced it will hold three concerts in April next year at the city’s new flagship stadium, Kai Tak Sports Park.
The venue is expected to be completed by the end of this year and to open in the first quarter of next year. It is also expected to host the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament in March.
Chui urged the Hong Kong SAR government to step up transportation support for concert attendees, such as feeder buses to efficiently transport participants to popular spots like Central, Causeway Bay, and Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board on Wednesday announced that the city has welcomed over 29.5 million visitors in the first eight months of this year, marking a 43.7 percent year-on-year growth.
Visitors from the Chinese mainland accounted for 22.94 million, reflecting a 38.9 percent year-onyear surge, while visitors from other places numbered 6.58 million, a 63.5 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
August alone saw nearly 4.5 million arrivals, up 9.2 percent from August 2023, with half of them opting to stay in the city overnight. The board projected that the city would record a total of 46 million visitors this year, compared with the 34 million visitor footprint in 2023.
Among the National Day festivities, a horse-themed drone show, featuring Hong Kong scenes and Chinese ink horse paintings by artist Xu Beihong (1895-1953), will take place in Wan Chai on Sept 28.
A special National Day edition of light and sound show A Symphony of Lights will illuminate Victoria Harbour in October, featuring enhanced lighting effects and congratulatory messages.
From Saturday through Nov 30, over 750 merchants in the Yau Tsim Mong district will offer 25 percent discounts on goods and dining.
Contact the writers at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com
