Is Hong Kong safe to visit as protests continue to grip the city? Advice for tourists

Hong Kong has been rocked by nine consecutive weekends of protests, disrupting transport, the retail sector and tourism

As the protests spread and turn increasingly violent, what does it mean for people with trips to the city planned?

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Extradition bill protesters set up defences in Central district. Photo: James Wendlinger

Published: 8:00pm, 6 Aug 2019Updated: 1:28pm, 9 Aug 2019

“Is Hong Kong safe to visit?” It’s a question increasingly being asked on travel websites and on social media, amid anti-government protests in Hong Kong prompted by a move to change a now-shelved extradition law.

With the protests spreading and growing more violent, and causing disruption to transport and the retail sector, tourists have been warned to take precautions in Hong Kong, named the most visited city in the world for the eighth year in a row in 2018.

After eight consecutive weekends of protests, travel chaos reached a peak on Monday when a citywide strike led to long delays for commuters on public transport and the cancellation of some 250 flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport.

Since July, a number of countries have issued travel warnings for Hong Kong, including Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada. Australia and the United States joined them this week.

Extradition bill protesters hold up placards against police brutality during a sit-in at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Winson Wong

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has reported a drop in visitors recently, but most travellers are sticking with their travel plans. So what advice are they being given?