Hong Kong expected to handle 9 million trips by people over festive season, as authorities and retailers prepare raft of discounts, sweeteners
- Immigration Department says more than 83 per cent of expected 9.03 million likely to use city’s land-based crossing points over Christmas, New Year breaks
- Tourism Board and local retailers prepare discounts and vouchers to encourage Hongkongers to spend money in city rather than head elsewhere to shop
Hong Kong is expected to handle more than 9 million trips by people over the Christmas and New Year holidays, amid efforts by local authorities and businesses to offer sweeteners to convince people to spend over the festive season.
The Immigration Department on Tuesday said that more than 83 per cent of the anticipated 9.03 million trips would likely involve the city’s land-based crossing points over the two holidays, while the remainder would arrive via sea or air.
The figures also showed the incoming figure would peak at 626,000 on December 26 and departures would reach a high of 549,000 on December 23.
But a potential outflow of Hongkongers looking to shop elsewhere has pushed the city’s Tourism Board, as well as business leaders, to offer up a range of deals to entice residents to spend locally.
“Christmas is the peak season for retailers. As the first Christmas since borders reopened, we expect residents to head overseas or to the mainland, which will no doubt affect our business,” Hong Kong Retail Management Association chairwoman Annie Tse Yau On-yee said.