https://www.scmp.com/rss/509370/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Wynna Wong,Eric Jiang Wynna Wong,Eric Jiang Hong Kong welcomed more than 1 million mainland Chinese visitors during their five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, a 10 per cent rise from a year ago, exceeding government expectations, but industry leaders have said their spending was inconsistent. Immigration Department data showed the city recorded 1.01 million mainland visitor arrivals between May 1 and 5, surpassing the forecast of 980,000. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Wednesday some shopping centre operators had reported... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352654/hong-kong-draws-over-1-million-mainland-golden-week-visitors-spending-lags?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352654/hong-kong-draws-over-1-million-mainland-golden-week-visitors-spending-lags?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 13:51:59 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s railway network broke passenger records during the long May Day holiday as millions hit the rails. Meanwhile, a shift towards budget-conscious destinations such as the African coast, coupled with rising fuel costs, signalled a cautious consumer landscape despite the surge in mobility. China’s Ministry of Transport said on Wednesday that “cross-regional” trips during the holiday reached nearly 1.52 billion, a 3.49 per cent increase over the 2025 break, and a record high for the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352618/chinas-may-day-travel-surges-spending-chases-value-budget-conscious-pivot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352618/chinas-may-day-travel-surges-spending-chases-value-budget-conscious-pivot?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong’s retail sales jumped by 12.8 per cent in March, bringing first-quarter growth to 9.8 per cent, driven by a spurt in electric car sales ahead of the withdrawal of tax breaks. Provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Wednesday showed that retail sales reached HK$33.9 billion (US$4.32 billion) in March. The March increase was largely driven by an 80.8 per cent surge in the value of car sales as buyers raced to make deals before tax breaks for electric cars... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352608/hong-kong-retail-sales-jump-128-march-back-higher-car-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352608/hong-kong-retail-sales-jump-128-march-back-higher-car-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 08:57:45 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Fewer than 5 per cent of Hong Kong flights for May and June combined have been cancelled, and about 1 per cent for the peak July travel period, aviation authorities have said, despite a global fuel crisis triggered by war in the Middle East. The figures were shared in Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan’s response to a lawmaker’s question, with the minister also revealing the Airport Authority planned to review charges to ease the financial burden on the aviation industry. The Civil... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352602/airport-authority-reports-less-5-cancellations-despite-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352602/airport-authority-reports-less-5-cancellations-despite-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 08:37:08 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong authorities have vowed to follow up on a case of a detached MacLehose Trail sign after a woman shared a photo of herself posing with the wooden marker on social media that went viral and sparked online discussions. The woman shared the photo on her RedNote account on Monday, the fourth day of the five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday. The image showed her holding the trail sign beside its metal stand. She later wrote it had already fallen and she only picked it up for the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352480/tourists-photos-removed-hong-kong-trail-sign-draw-backlash-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352480/tourists-photos-removed-hong-kong-trail-sign-draw-backlash-online?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 07:42:12 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong should adopt a comprehensive, top-down ecotourism policy led by a single designated authority to safeguard environmentally sensitive spots overwhelmed during the Labour Day “golden week”, experts have urged. The call on Monday follows a viral video showing a Mandarin-speaking tourist smoking at Ham Tin Wan Beach in Sai Kung. In the clip, the man claimed he had “confirmed” with authorities that smoking was allowed, responding defiantly to a fine imposed on a mainland Chinese visitor for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352409/golden-week-crush-shows-hong-kong-needs-top-down-ecotourism-policy-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352409/golden-week-crush-shows-hong-kong-needs-top-down-ecotourism-policy-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 02:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s natural beauty, one of its greatest assets, is also ecologically vulnerable. Reminders of that abounded during the mainland’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday. At Sharp Island, where thousands flocked to the city’s Unesco global geopark, the authorities issued about 300 verbal warnings. At Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung East Country Park, the sheer number of visitors camping, some using hotpots, underscored the problem. On Saturday evening, an estimated 500 tents at the campsite included... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352372/hong-kong-needs-better-protect-its-natural-assets-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352372/hong-kong-needs-better-protect-its-natural-assets-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu Hong Kong recorded a 4.8 per cent increase in mainland Chinese visitors in the first three days of their Labour Day “golden week” holiday, but industry players warned that uneven spending and more flexible travel patterns could weigh on business despite hotel occupancy rates potentially reaching 90 per cent. Immigration Department data showed mainland Chinese made 714,765 visits to the city between May 1 and 3, up by about 4.8 per cent from 682,114 in the same period last year. Total visitor... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352395/golden-week-hong-kong-draws-more-mainland-chinese-visitors-spending-uneven?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352395/golden-week-hong-kong-draws-more-mainland-chinese-visitors-spending-uneven?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 12:51:55 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A bird watcher saw people landing on an uninhabited island in southern Hong Kong waters known to be a regular breeding site for terns during mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday, according to a green group. Terns mainly feed on small fish and aerial insects. While about 40 species exist globally, 12 have been recorded in Hong Kong. Three species breed on Hong Kong’s outlying rocky islands during the summer, with one near Po Toi Island. On the second day of the holiday, a bird... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352388/green-group-warns-disturbance-uninhabited-island-known-breeding-seabird?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352388/green-group-warns-disturbance-uninhabited-island-known-breeding-seabird?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 12:06:01 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong’s property market is poised for a broad-based recovery as a strong upturn in the residential segment spills over to the struggling office and retail sectors, according to analysts. Morgan Stanley upgraded its forecast for the city’s home prices to a 12 per cent increase this year from 10 per cent previously and anticipated another 5 per cent rise in 2027, it said in a report on Monday. Likewise, the office property segment was likely to see some relief, with Hong Kong’s top business... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3352357/hong-kong-residential-property-upturn-drives-recovery-office-retail-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3352357/hong-kong-residential-property-upturn-drives-recovery-office-retail-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Ultra-low-priced Hong Kong tour packages reliant on commissions and pushing mainland Chinese visitors to make additional purchases remain prevalent despite tighter government regulations, the South China Morning Post has found. The business model has come under renewed scrutiny after the Travel Industry Authority revoked the licences of a travel agency and its tour guide over four cases of suspected coerced shopping between January and March. The practice has also prompted concerns about the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352290/ultra-low-priced-tours-exploiting-mainland-chinese-visitors-survive-despite-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352290/ultra-low-priced-tours-exploiting-mainland-chinese-visitors-survive-despite-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 03:00:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Hong Kong tourism industry has spent years looking for ways to chart a course back to a semblance of the smooth sailing it long enjoyed. Efforts to develop a high-spending yacht economy are one promising approach that could buoy the sector and the city overall. So it was welcome news that a long-awaited cross-border solo travel scheme could be in place for local yachts as early as this summer. The policy would allow vessels from Macau and Hong Kong to easily sail to western waters off the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352250/cross-border-scheme-could-boost-hong-kongs-yacht-economy-dreams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352250/cross-border-scheme-could-boost-hong-kongs-yacht-economy-dreams?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 23:15:13 +0000 Vivian Au,Oscar Liu Vivian Au,Oscar Liu Hong Kong is set for its strongest quarterly growth in nearly five years, the finance chief has said, citing a 17 per cent rise in visitor numbers and a 5.2 per cent increase in retail and catering spending. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his Sunday blog that 602,000 visitors entered Hong Kong in the first two days of mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” break, a 6 per cent rise year on year. Despite a complex and rapidly changing external environment, Hong Kong’s economy... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352258/finance-chief-says-hong-kong-track-strongest-quarterly-growth-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352258/finance-chief-says-hong-kong-track-strongest-quarterly-growth-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 06:43:45 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Perched above the streets of Tai Hang, the 91-year-old Haw Par Mansion has stood as a watchman to Hong Kong’s evolving history. The mansion and its front garden are the only remaining sections of what was once a sprawling estate and theme park built in the 1930s by the Aw family of Tiger Balm ointment fame. They are striking examples of the period’s architectural hybridity, often called the Chinese Renaissance style. From 2019 to 2022, the restored mansion was used by a music school that the Aw... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3351958/how-hong-kongs-91-year-old-haw-par-mansion-will-transform-new-cultural-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3351958/how-hong-kongs-91-year-old-haw-par-mansion-will-transform-new-cultural-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 04:15:08 +0000 Kitty Tam,Charlie Yip Kitty Tam,Charlie Yip For decades, Hong Kong’s tourism success rested on a clear formula: shopping, dining and urban experiences. That model is losing momentum. Overnight visitor spending has fallen from around HK$193 billion (US$24.6 billion) in 2015 to HK$128 billion last year. Shopping has declined sharply as spending shifts to sightseeing and experiences. Travellers are no longer coming only to consume – they seek a connection to nature, culture and place. This transition presents a clear opportunity. Hong Kong’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3351840/its-not-ecotourism-if-it-risks-damaging-hong-kongs-natural-assets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3351840/its-not-ecotourism-if-it-risks-damaging-hong-kongs-natural-assets?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Members of unlicensed hiking tours were among the hundreds of visitors who packed into Hong Kong’s Ham Tin Wan campsite on the second day of mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” break. The sink at the scenic Sai Kung hotspot’s only public bathroom was left clogged by food scraps after some visitors opted for hotpot. On Saturday evening, a South China Morning Post reporter estimated there were about 500 tents at the campsite. According to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352243/how-unlicensed-mainland-chinese-tour-groups-cash-hong-kong-campsites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352243/how-unlicensed-mainland-chinese-tour-groups-cash-hong-kong-campsites?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 01:00:26 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong Disneyland opened to great fanfare in 2005, but the fact that it is still the smallest Disney park in the world remains a talking point. Losses in most of the 20 years since then have weighed against the case for expansion. However, a return to profit in the last two financial years could yet change the conversation. The Lantau theme park has repaid loans from its two shareholders – the government and the US-based Walt Disney Company – and is debt-free for the first time. Profits are... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352123/return-profit-helps-hong-kong-disneyland-look-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352123/return-profit-helps-hong-kong-disneyland-look-future?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Hong Kong authorities issued 300 verbal warnings to people visiting Sharp Island on the first day of mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday, when thousands flocked to see attractions in the city’s Unesco Global Geopark. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Saturday that the 3,000 visitors to Sharp Island a day earlier had “exceeded expectations”, prompting the deployment of additional frontline staff. Sai Kung district has become a popular tourist destination... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352225/300-verbal-warnings-issued-sharp-island-visitors-labour-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352225/300-verbal-warnings-issued-sharp-island-visitors-labour-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 10:40:00 +0000 Connor Mycroft,Fiona Sun Connor Mycroft,Fiona Sun Hong Kong recorded a 13 per cent year-on-year increase in mainland Chinese visitors on the first day of the “golden week” Labour Day holiday, but a lawmaker for the restaurant trade noted that tourists’ shift towards more cautious spending resulted in only “limited” gains for the businesses. Labour Day is a statutory public holiday in Hong Kong and marked the start of the mainland’s five-day break. The first day of the holiday saw a single-day record of about 24.8 million passengers travelling... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352214/hong-kong-records-13-rise-mainland-chinese-visitors-day-1-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352214/hong-kong-records-13-rise-mainland-chinese-visitors-day-1-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 08:48:57 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin More Hong Kong permanent residents will soon be able to drive to Macau for work, sightseeing, family visits and business as the two cities move to expand an existing scheme to make better use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The Transport Department said on Friday that all Hong Kong permanent residents and locally registered companies would be allowed to apply for 400 multiple-entry quota places under a new category for drivers of non-commercial private cars. Under the current scheme, only... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352181/more-hongkongers-can-drive-macau-under-expanded-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352181/more-hongkongers-can-drive-macau-under-expanded-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 12:58:20 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Thousands of visitors have flocked to Hong Kong’s East Dam to view its rare volcanic rock columns at the start of the five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, prompting a lawmaker to suggest charging an entrance fee to maintain the Unesco global geopark. Drawn by the city’s natural scenery and well-established hiking trails, which are being heavily promoted on mainland Chinese social media, many tourists are increasingly trading traditional shopping sprees for ecotourism at the East Dam of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352145/hong-kongs-east-dam-draws-thousands-golden-week-lawmaker-floats-entry-fee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352145/hong-kongs-east-dam-draws-thousands-golden-week-lawmaker-floats-entry-fee?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 08:56:04 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong residents flocked to Shenzhen on Friday, drawn by ‘better service’ at restaurants and family-friendly attractions as the Labour Day “golden week” holiday began. Affordability has also lured droves of Hongkongers across the border, with families budgeting about HK$1,000 (US$128) for a full day in the tech hub, covering restaurants, dental clinics, indoor amusement parks and ice-skating rinks. Labour Day is a statutory public holiday in Hong Kong and marks the start of mainland China’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352132/hongkongers-flock-shenzhen-better-labour-day-dining-and-attractions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352132/hongkongers-flock-shenzhen-better-labour-day-dining-and-attractions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 07:16:37 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Fiona Chow,Kristen Cheung,Wynna Wong Matthew Cheng,Fiona Chow,Kristen Cheung,Wynna Wong Hong Kong has recorded more than 242,000 trips by mainland Chinese visitors on the first day of their Labour Day “golden week” break, with many heading to the countryside for scenic views and others opting for “city walks” to explore picturesque locales. Some early arrivals headed straight to the countryside after getting off at the West Kowloon rail terminus on Friday morning. University student Chen Hongjie, 18, was all geared up to hike the MacLehose Trail on his first day in the city after a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352119/golden-week-opens-76056-mainland-visitors-flooding-hong-kong-hikes-city-walks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352119/golden-week-opens-76056-mainland-visitors-flooding-hong-kong-hikes-city-walks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 05:40:53 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s catering sector and hoteliers are expecting a business boost during the Labour Day “golden week” holiday from May 1 to 5, with industry leaders hoping the growing trend of mainland Chinese visitors hiking and sailing yachts will bring a windfall to seafood restaurants in Sai Kung and the outlying islands. The industry leaders also said that rising tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed up fuel surcharges, had inadvertently benefited Hong Kong, as mainland travellers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352073/yacht-tourists-hikers-drive-golden-week-optimism-hong-kong-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352073/yacht-tourists-hikers-drive-golden-week-optimism-hong-kong-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Tour groups from Hong Kong to mainland China are expected to rise by up to 40 per cent year on year over the Labour Day weekend, with travel agents citing improved safety and hygiene as key factors attracting visitors. The agents also said that slight increases in fuel surcharges for flights to Asian destinations were not the main driver of shifting outbound travel patterns among Hong Kong residents; instead, they pointed to the novelty and wide range of mainland options. Steve Huen Kwok-chuen,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351916/hong-kong-tour-groups-mainland-china-surge-40-labour-day-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351916/hong-kong-tour-groups-mainland-china-surge-40-labour-day-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The upcoming Labour Day “golden week” holiday promises another bonanza for Hong Kong’s tourism and related sectors as the city leverages a string of high-profile attractions – from horse racing days to revamped dining and shopping experiences – to pull in both mainland and overseas visitors. Hopefully, the drive can fine-tune the tourism strategy into one focusing on both quantity and quality. The Immigration Department expects about 980,000 mainland visitors to enter Hong Kong between May 1 and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351810/ahead-labour-day-sensible-tweak-hong-kongs-tourism-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351810/ahead-labour-day-sensible-tweak-hong-kongs-tourism-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong expects about 980,000 mainland Chinese visitors over the Labour Day “golden week” holiday from May 1 to 5, a 7 per cent increase from last year. Instead of rushing through major attractions, many travellers are opting for slower, highly curated itineraries centred on exhibitions, neighbourhood walks and carefully timed photo spots – trends driven by popular social media platforms such as RedNote. Here, the South China Morning Post highlights what mainland tourists are currently... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351821/which-hidden-gems-are-mainland-chinese-tourists-chasing-labour-day-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351821/which-hidden-gems-are-mainland-chinese-tourists-chasing-labour-day-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:23:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Central harbourfront is one of the world’s most recognisable urban skylines, overlooking a vast, open event space from Central to Admiralty that is coveted for major events. The right to run the event space for five years, from July 1, has just been awarded to a joint venture between property developer Henderson Land Development and concert organiser YW Company, commonly known as “Yiu Wing”. The location east of the International Finance Centre and the adjacent Central Yards development has... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351664/hong-kong-has-big-stake-success-harbourfront-event-space?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351664/hong-kong-has-big-stake-success-harbourfront-event-space?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Researchers have urged Hong Kong to shift its focus from boosting visitor numbers to increasing tourist spending, as mainland Chinese arrivals rebound but adopt more selective consumption habits. Preliminary findings from a joint study by Polytechnic University and consultancy Think China, released on Tuesday, show mainland visitor arrivals have recovered to about 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2018. However, high-income travellers are spending less and becoming more... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351731/hong-kong-urged-shift-focus-tourist-numbers-increasing-spending?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351731/hong-kong-urged-shift-focus-tourist-numbers-increasing-spending?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:58:52 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang Hong Kong Disneyland Resort posted a 36 per cent drop in net profit to HK$536 million (US$68 million) last year, due to higher costs, increased outbound travel by residents and weather disruptions, although earnings were the second-highest on record and the theme park is now debt-free. The Lantau Island theme park on Tuesday reported its results for the financial year ending last September, with revenue down by 1.35 per cent year on year to HK$8.69 billion and visitor numbers falling by 2.5 per... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351663/hong-kong-disneyland-profit-drops-36-hk536-million-costs-rise-visitors-fall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351663/hong-kong-disneyland-profit-drops-36-hk536-million-costs-rise-visitors-fall?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:11:30 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong authorities should turn a new HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion) municipal waste incinerator in Tuen Mun into a tourist attraction and an education hub for eco-protection, lawmakers have said. Their remarks on Tuesday followed the government’s application to the Legislative Council for HK$29.2 billion to build the planned Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 2, or I·PARK2, with costs about 20 per cent lower than the earlier HK$35.7 billion estimate. Samuel Chui Ho-kwong, director... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351646/ashes-assets-calls-turn-hk30-billion-waste-facility-tourism-education-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351646/ashes-assets-calls-turn-hk30-billion-waste-facility-tourism-education-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:31:15 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong authorities will cordon off parts of the shoreline of Sharp Island in Sai Kung to protect corals, with 1,000 visitors expected in the area each day during the coming Labour Day “golden week” holiday. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also said on Monday that 11 officers would patrol the island daily during the holiday, while five marine staff – two snorkellers and three kayakers – would monitor the sea for any disruptive visitor behaviour. The department said it... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351614/hong-kong-block-parts-sharp-island-shoreline-protect-corals-over-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351614/hong-kong-block-parts-sharp-island-shoreline-protect-corals-over-break?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:00:15 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au The appreciating yuan and ongoing Sino-Japanese tensions have given Hong Kong tourism a boost ahead of mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday, with hotel prices rising by as much as 8 per cent, an industry representative has said. Lawmaker Alan Chan Chung-yee, who is also the chief operating officer of Miramar Group, expressed optimism on Monday that the city would welcome more mainland tourists originally heading to other parts of East Asia during the country’s coming long holiday,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351523/sino-japanese-tensions-boon-hong-kong-tourism-golden-week-expert-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351523/sino-japanese-tensions-boon-hong-kong-tourism-golden-week-expert-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:33:38 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 5,000 Guangdong motorists have been approved to drive into Hong Kong’s urban areas under a southbound travel scheme as of March, while 90 per cent of the 3,500 travellers who booked to visit have stayed for one or two days. The Transport Department said on Sunday that the urban access portion of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles arrangement was operating smoothly and had become increasingly popular since its launch near the end of 2025. The scheme currently grants access to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:01:09 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have stepped up publicity with mainland Chinese media ahead of a ban on possessing alternative smoking products, including e-cigarettes, in public places, which will take effect before the Labour Day “golden week” holiday. Director of Health Ronald Lam Man-kin said on Sunday that the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office had conducted more than 11,000 inspections and issued about 2,200 HK$3,000 (US$383) fixed penalty notices so far this year. Of these, 23 were related to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351461/hong-kong-boosts-e-cigarette-ban-awareness-mainland-china-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351461/hong-kong-boosts-e-cigarette-ban-awareness-mainland-china-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 06:12:33 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Labour Day holiday is expected to live up to its “golden week” name by providing a welcome boost to the Hong Kong economy, but it will also test the city’s ability to balance an expected tourism surge with environmental conservation. Authorities must apply lessons learned from problematic high seasons in the past when the city sees visitor numbers rise. Arrivals from mainland China alone could hit 980,000, up 7 per cent from 2025, the Immigration Department said. The government plans to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351283/do-more-preserve-hong-kongs-natural-heritage-amid-holiday-crush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351283/do-more-preserve-hong-kongs-natural-heritage-amid-holiday-crush?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong will step up law enforcement against coerced shopping, unlicensed tour guides and unfair sales practices targeting visitors during mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week”, the city’s tourism minister has said. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said on Saturday that hotel occupancy rates in Hong Kong were expected to exceed 90 per cent during the period, with the government estimating that 980,000 mainland travellers would visit, up by 7 per cent from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351402/hong-kong-step-crackdown-coerced-shopping-scams-during-labour-day-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351402/hong-kong-step-crackdown-coerced-shopping-scams-during-labour-day-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:58:03 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun More than 50 restaurants and shops have joined a “tourism everywhere” initiative to promote Hong Kong’s bustling Central district among residents and tourists and boost local spending. The Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises Association on Friday revealed the programme to promote hidden delicacies and goods in Central, aligning with the government’s objective to turn everywhere into a tourist destination. The initiative runs from May 1 until the end of June, with the first five days... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351351/over-50-central-restaurants-shops-join-drive-boost-spending-lure-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351351/over-50-central-restaurants-shops-join-drive-boost-spending-lure-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:14 +0000 Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Hongkonger Dominique Li and his wife spent a two-day break earlier this month in Shenzhen to soak up the cultural vibe, a short getaway they said would not be their last. The 45-year-old engineer, who lives in Tin Shui Wai in the northwestern New Territories, was particularly drawn to a new landmark, Shenzhen Bay Culture Square in Nanshan district. He treated his visit to Shenzhen like a trip to Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay shopping district, which also takes about an hour. “The spaces here are... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351208/value-space-and-style-pull-hongkongers-shenzhens-new-cultural-hotspots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351208/value-space-and-style-pull-hongkongers-shenzhens-new-cultural-hotspots?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:30:17 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The current discussion on the Kai Tak line is too focused on the mass transit itself – alignment, stations, connectivity. But the real issue is not just the mass transit. It’s what happens around it. As planned, the line will mainly serve local residents. That is useful, but not... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3350882/hong-kong-cant-just-build-monorail-kai-tak-and-hope-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3350882/hong-kong-cant-just-build-monorail-kai-tak-and-hope-best?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:30:07 +0000 Amanda Sheppard Amanda Sheppard Every year when Art Basel Hong Kong opens its doors, Hong Kong once again assumes its role as East Asia’s art world crossroads. Collectors, gallerists and curators from across the region converge on the city, reinforcing a perception that Hong Kong remains Asia’s most globally integrated art market. But beneath the spectacle lies a more nuanced question. What is Hong Kong’s position within an increasingly multicentred East Asian art ecosystem? From the vantage point of Asia Art Archive (AAA),... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3350942/hong-kongs-rise-east-asias-thriving-art-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3350942/hong-kongs-rise-east-asias-thriving-art-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:00:14 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong travellers in Japan were reported safe by at least one major tour operator while the Immigration Department said it was closely monitoring the situation after a powerful earthquake struck off the country’s northeast coast on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings. Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, said the operator currently had about 40 tour groups in Japan, including three in the northeast and four in Hokkaido, areas covered by the alert. “All our customers are... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350777/40-hong-kong-tour-groups-safe-after-magnitude-75-quake-strikes-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350777/40-hong-kong-tour-groups-safe-after-magnitude-75-quake-strikes-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:02:36 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong The number of inbound trips to Hong Kong by mainland Chinese visitors is expected to reach 980,000 for the coming Labour Day “golden week” holiday across the border, a 7 per cent increase from last year, with city authorities saying they will enforce environmental regulations around the clock at popular camping spots. The estimate from the Immigration Department on Monday came as the government revealed it had stepped up measures for crowd control, transport and tourism in anticipation of a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350752/mainland-chinese-make-980000-inbound-trips-hong-kong-labour-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350752/mainland-chinese-make-980000-inbound-trips-hong-kong-labour-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:12:29 +0000 SCMP Reporter SCMP Reporter A major exhibition featuring more than 250 sets of Han dynasty relics – most of which have never been displayed in Hong Kong – is offering a rare look into one of the most influential periods of Chinese history. The showcase, titled “The Majestic Han: A Golden Age of Vigour and Cultural Integration”, is running at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui until September 20. Admission is free. The event is co-organised by the Development Bureau and the National Cultural Heritage... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3350639/over-250-rare-han-dynasty-relics-display-major-hong-kong-showcase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3350639/over-250-rare-han-dynasty-relics-display-major-hong-kong-showcase?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:21:47 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch has stood the test of time. Tour package deals that are too good to be true are no exception. When the real cost emerges, they can spark disputes that inflict a reputational cost on the tourism industry, a pillar of Hong Kong’s economy. A case in point has just resulted in the revocation of a travel agency’s licence by the Travel Industry Authority. One of its tour guides allegedly tried to coerce mainland tourists into shopping at designated... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350429/stamp-out-coercive-shopping-tours-uphold-hong-kongs-reputation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350429/stamp-out-coercive-shopping-tours-uphold-hong-kongs-reputation?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma The Hong Kong Tourism Board invited more than 1,700 influencers from around the world to the city between 2023 and last year, with the internet personalities having a combined following exceeding 1.6 billion. Responding to an inquiry from lawmaker Chan Hoi-yan, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said the board had invited 1,730 influencers to Hong Kong over two years, with itineraries tailored to their markets and audiences. “In 2026-27, [the board] will continue to develop themed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350512/tourism-board-invited-1730-influencers-hong-kong-over-2-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350512/tourism-board-invited-1730-influencers-hong-kong-over-2-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 01:00:25 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong welcomed back its iconic Sevens rugby tournament for a 50th year on Friday, with an opening ceremony featuring robots, K-pop and a light show almost as sparkling as some of the action on the pitch. Not even a hole in the roof of the HK$30 billion Kai Tak Stadium could put a dampener on proceedings, even if the rain that leaked in left some fans running for cover. Even so, the thunderstorms that hovered over the city for much of the afternoon did little to deter spectators generally,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3350541/hong-kong-sevens-heaven-dazzling-display-marks-start-50th-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3350541/hong-kong-sevens-heaven-dazzling-display-marks-start-50th-year?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:06:53 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways and its budget arm carried more passengers in March than a year ago, despite the impact of the US-Israel war against Iran. Cathay Group also said on Friday that it aimed to restore all flights after June. The company earlier announced it was cutting the number of Cathay Pacific flights by 2 per cent and HK Express services by 6 per cent between mid-May and the end of June. The group attributed the passenger growth to a spate of mega-events in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350510/cathay-pacific-hk-express-passenger-counts-despite-impact-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350510/cathay-pacific-hk-express-passenger-counts-despite-impact-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:00:19 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan March is a highlight of Hong Kong’s cultural calendar. Last month, as I welcomed delegates to the International Cultural Summit during Art Week, many told me they had come to network with local and international collaborators and explore Hong Kong’s museums, galleries and performance venues. Tens of thousands attended Art Basel, Art Central, gallery openings, performances and other events across the city. The month also buzzed with jazz, opera, classical concerts and other performances, with the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350293/art-march-hong-kong-firmly-global-cultural-map?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350293/art-march-hong-kong-firmly-global-cultural-map?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Ambrose Li,Stephy Zhang Ambrose Li,Stephy Zhang Bars and restaurants are gearing up for a bumper three days during the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, brushing off concerns that rising airfares because of the Middle East war might put off visitors, with some operators expecting a surge of up to 40 per cent compared with a regular weekend. Business magnate and Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman told the South China Morning Post that the loyal following of the flagship tournament, which runs from Friday to Sunday at the 50,000-seat Kai... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350374/bars-gearing-bumper-hong-kong-sevens-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350374/bars-gearing-bumper-hong-kong-sevens-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:30:09 +0000