HK residents made over 1.1 million trips to rest of China in long weekend to mark handover
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Hong Kong residents have clocked 49.5 million departures in the first half of the year, the highest since at least 1997, the data show.
PHOTO: PEXELS
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HONG KONG – Hong Kong residents made more than 1.1 million trips to the rest of China during a three-day holiday that ended on July 1, piling more pressure on local retailers and restaurants who are struggling for business.
The number of resident departures through border checkpoints typically used to travel to the mainland and casino hub Macau was 19 per cent higher during the holiday – marking the 27th anniversary of the city’s handover to China from Britain – than in 2019, government data shows.
The outbound rush highlights Hong Kong’s struggle to revive its reputation as a regional tourism and retail hub
Hong Kong residents have clocked 49.5 million departures in the first half of 2024, the highest since at least 1997, the data shows. About 89 per cent, or 44.2 million, were to the rest of China, the highest since that year. The city is home to more than seven million people.
At the same time, tourists to Hong Kong have been slow to return
In an effort to keep residents in town and attract more visitors during the holiday, Hong Kong announced incentives, including free transport and museum exhibitions. More than 1,000 restaurants offered coupons and discounts.
Nearby mainland cities like Shenzhen and Zhuhai are luring Hong Kongers with more shopping and entertainment options, often at cheaper prices. That has become more appealing as an economic slowdown drives residents to seek better value for money, and major cross-border transport projects make travel faster and easier than ever.
Beijing has eased visa curbs for long-term foreign residents of Hong Kong, making them eligible for five-year multiple-entry permits to enter the mainland starting on July 10.
Hong Kong leader John Lee on July 2 encouraged people to take advantage of measures announced by China to facilitate cross-border exchanges. BLOOMBERG
