https://www.scmp.com/rss/64655/feed The Chinese "golden week" refers either of the two week-long holidays around National Day on October 1, and the lunar calendar Spring Festival which usually falls in January or February of each year. Tens of millions of Chinese travel by air, train and road to family reunions, vacations or shopping centres during these holidays. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Frank Chen Frank Chen The sudden collapse of Spirit Airlines is serving as a stark warning for the global aviation industry, as China’s own carriers just struggled through a disappointing May Day holiday marred by surging fuel costs and an embrace of the nation’s high-speed rail network. Hopes that the five-day “golden week” could provide a meaningful lift for airlines operating in China were dashed, as the US-Israel war with Iran, now in its third month, has caused fuel prices to nearly double. While no Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3352759/fuel-shocks-thin-margins-why-chinas-airlines-should-heed-spirits-mistakes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3352759/fuel-shocks-thin-margins-why-chinas-airlines-should-heed-spirits-mistakes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:34 +0000 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 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 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A 67-year-old driver has been arrested after his vehicle reportedly lost control at a border checkpoint in a traffic accident that killed his 62-year-old wife. Police received a report at 4.41am on Monday that a private car had rammed into multiple traffic cones and a kiosk before coming to rest on its side on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge near 80 Shun Wan Road. The car, bearing the number plate ZZ9**2, was headed towards Hong Kong when the accident took place, with the driver and passenger... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352354/driver-arrested-after-wife-killed-crash-hong-kong-border-checkpoint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352354/driver-arrested-after-wife-killed-crash-hong-kong-border-checkpoint?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 08:35:16 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Tents inside Hong Kong bus terminuses that have drawn online complaints during mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday are being used by domestic helpers, who say they have nowhere else to go on their days off. Images of tents lining streets across the city, from Tai Po to Central and Tseung Kwan O, have circulated widely on social media in recent days. Some posts suggested mainland visitors were camping, as tourist numbers have surged during the holiday. However, visits by the South... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352271/nowhere-go-domestic-helpers-spending-days-tents-amid-lack-options?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352271/nowhere-go-domestic-helpers-spending-days-tents-amid-lack-options?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 10:30:09 +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 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 Hong Kong police have arrested a taxi driver for dangerous driving on the first of the five-day mainland Chinese Labour Day “golden week” holiday, after he was caught reaching speeds of 160km/h (99.4mph) and completing a 42km ride in just half an hour. Police took enforcement action against the 31-year-old driver on Friday after intelligence officers found the arrestee, who mainly drives around Sai Kung, had frequently uploaded videos of dangerous driving online. “Officers went undercover as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352170/hong-kong-taxi-driver-arrested-dangerous-driving-hitting-speeds-160km/h?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352170/hong-kong-taxi-driver-arrested-dangerous-driving-hitting-speeds-160km/h?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 11:46:35 +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 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 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Gold bars, cruises, Dior beauty services and Rosewood Hong Kong vouchers are just some of the incentives Hong Kong’s major lenders are offering in hopes of capturing wealthy clients, as visitors from mainland China descend on the city during the golden week holiday starting on Friday. HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of China (Hong Kong) – the city’s three biggest banks – Citigroup, DBS Hong Kong, ICBC Asia, Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank have all extended the hours of certain branches on... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3352097/gold-cruises-and-dior-how-hong-kong-lenders-are-enticing-wealthy-mainland-china-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3352097/gold-cruises-and-dior-how-hong-kong-lenders-are-enticing-wealthy-mainland-china-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 05:30:07 +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 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 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 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 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 Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong Unreasonably low prices offered by some mainland Chinese tourist groups visiting Hong Kong are a major factor behind coerced shopping, industry leaders have said, urging authorities to step up random inspections during the coming Labour Day “golden week” holiday. The Travel Industry Authority announced on Monday that it had previously revoked the licence of Star Link Travel in connection with four suspected cases of coercing inbound mainland tourists to shop. Sara Leung Fong-yuen, a consultant... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349985/cheap-tours-blamed-coerced-shopping-hong-kong-tourism-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349985/cheap-tours-blamed-coerced-shopping-hong-kong-tourism-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:58:37 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong Hong Kong may introduce pilot schemes for booking campsites before the National Day holiday in October, as authorities revealed that 32 people were prosecuted for offences in Sai Kung’s country parks over the Chinese New Year holiday. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan told the Legislative Council on Wednesday that most of those prosecuted were non-locals charged with littering. Authorities had earlier said they were considering implementing a booking system and charging fees for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347018/hong-kong-test-new-campsite-booking-system-amid-overcrowding-litter-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347018/hong-kong-test-new-campsite-booking-system-amid-overcrowding-litter-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:54:53 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Excitement about an influx of tourists during the recent Chinese New Year “golden week” was tarnished by the sight of some rural Hong Kong beaches being turned into congested tent cities. It is good that the authorities are considering fees and other solutions to counter holiday rushes. The problem was obvious on beaches in Sai Kung, where more than 900 tents were pitched along Ham Tin Wan. At nearby Sai Wan, nearly half of the campers had illegally pitched shelters outside designated... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3344859/hong-kong-wants-ecotourism-not-overtourism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3344859/hong-kong-wants-ecotourism-not-overtourism?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Wynna Wong,Harvey Kong Wynna Wong,Harvey Kong Visitor numbers in Hong Kong rose about 14 per cent during the Chinese New Year holiday but more residents left the city, while local retailers reported bumper sales of gold products. Some retailers reported single purchases worth millions of Hong Kong dollars within categories such as watches and jewellery, even as the broader retail recovery remained uneven. Immigration Department figures showed trips made by visitors – from mainland China and elsewhere – rose about 14 per cent year on year to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344488/hong-kong-visitor-numbers-jump-chinese-new-year-holiday-gold-sales-shine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344488/hong-kong-visitor-numbers-jump-chinese-new-year-holiday-gold-sales-shine?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:05:37 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo China is gearing up to harness the extended Lunar New Year holiday to attract more spending by international tourists, as the country looks to shake off a recent economic slowdown and pivot towards consumption-driven growth. In a rare joint initiative by nine central government departments, Beijing announced plans earlier this month to turn the holiday – which this year began on Sunday and runs through February 23 – into a “consumption feast that links regions and engages everyone”. The move... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343743/china-targets-foreign-tourists-lunar-new-year-consumption-feast?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343743/china-targets-foreign-tourists-lunar-new-year-consumption-feast?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:00:10 +0000 Fiona Chow Fiona Chow Hong Kong welcomed 10 per cent more visitors on the first day of Lunar New Year against a year ago, with crowds continuing to flock to hiking trails and tourists packing border crossing checkpoints. The latest Immigration Department data showed that 153,383 visitors arrived in the city on Tuesday, representing a 10.4 per cent increase compared with the first day of Lunar New Year last year. Of these, more than 120,000 came from mainland China. Inbound trips over the first two days of Lunar New... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343899/hong-kong-marks-start-lunar-new-year-surge-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343899/hong-kong-marks-start-lunar-new-year-surge-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:11:15 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong’s tourism sector is bracing for a 6 per cent rise in mainland Chinese visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday, as travel to the city regains momentum. Tickets for high-speed trains from major mainland cities to Hong Kong have been selling fast in the days leading up to the festive period – an upbeat sign for some hoteliers expecting a full house during the holiday. The Travel Industry Council, a federation of local travel trade associations, estimated that up to 1.4 million mainland... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342144/hong-kong-set-lunar-new-year-tourism-bump-6-rise-mainland-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342144/hong-kong-set-lunar-new-year-tourism-bump-6-rise-mainland-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Fiona Chow Fiona Chow Hong Kong transport authorities have received more than 2,500 applications in the first month of a scheme allowing Guangdong drivers to enter the city’s urban areas, with a hotel industry leader saying he hopes that the policy’s daily quota can be expanded. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Friday that she looked forward to welcoming more mainland Chinese car owners, adding they could enjoy a series of Lunar New Year promotions set to be held next month in collaboration... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3341033/hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme-1-month-old-are-people-signing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3341033/hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme-1-month-old-are-people-signing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:02:25 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung,Willa Wu Elizabeth Cheung,Willa Wu Concern groups have called for a more concrete timeline and clearer details in an updated action plan for Hong Kong’s biodiversity strategy, which for the first time lists assessing the capacity of ecotourism hotspots as a priority. The government on Wednesday unveiled its updated Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which covers four strategic areas – nature conservation, deepening mainstreaming, capacity building and collaborative partnering. It lists 30 priority actions and 81... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338339/groups-welcome-updated-hong-kong-biodiversity-plan-call-more-details?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338339/groups-welcome-updated-hong-kong-biodiversity-plan-call-more-details?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 01:30:17 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Hong Kong authorities will assess the capacity of some popular tourist hotspots and step up efforts to educate visitors, aiming to balance environmental protection with tourism, following incidents of visitors trampling on coral in a geopark during the “golden week” holiday. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu revealed on Tuesday that his administration was conducting a study that would include ecologically important sites within marine park protected areas to strengthen coastal conservation. Lee... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3328914/hong-kong-review-tourist-capacity-and-marine-protection-amid-coral-damage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3328914/hong-kong-review-tourist-capacity-and-marine-protection-amid-coral-damage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 05:33:44 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The National Day holiday week is traditionally one of the most lucrative periods for businesses. Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, the “super golden week” glittered more brightly, with some restaurants and retailers reportedly reaping bigger windfalls. Reassuring as it seems, the economic outlook remains uncertain. Those who just sit back and wait for another seasonal bonanza risk being outpaced by rivals who proactively reach out to customers with better offers. It is important... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3328583/hong-kong-businesses-must-adapt-new-tourism-and-spending-trends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3328583/hong-kong-businesses-must-adapt-new-tourism-and-spending-trends?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 22:45:11 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Ever since Hong Kong’s retail sector shook off 14 months of consecutive declines in May, analysts have been speculating whether the city’s landlords and developers can look forward to rental increases sooner rather than later. Hong Kong retailers such as Bakehouse and Korean food and beverage operator Seoul Recipe Group are more optimistic these days, as locals and tourists alike start to spend more in the city. However, a meaningful recovery in rents for high street shops and prime shopping... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3328623/hong-kong-retailers-cheer-sales-boom-shop-rental-hikes-may-not-follow-any-time-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3328623/hong-kong-retailers-cheer-sales-boom-shop-rental-hikes-may-not-follow-any-time-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 02:30:08 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Damaged coral reefs in a Unesco-listed geopark in Hong Kong may take years to recover, environmentalists have warned after a government investigation found that an area of about four square metres (43 sq ft) had been affected. Thousands of tourists flocked to Sharp Island in Sai Kung during mainland China’s National Day “golden week” holiday earlier this month, with some trampling on corals while snorkelling and digging up marine organisms. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3328608/damaged-coral-reefs-hong-kong-may-take-years-recover-green-groups-warn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3328608/damaged-coral-reefs-hong-kong-may-take-years-recover-green-groups-warn?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 02:30:12 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng China logged a welcome uptick in spending on services during the just-concluded eight-day “super golden week” public holiday, as the country’s transport hubs handled record numbers of passengers. Chinese transport authorities logged 2.432 billion passenger trips – a record high and a 6.2 per cent year-on-year increase – during this year’s extended holiday, which combined the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. The surge was mainly driven by overlapping demand for tourism and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328354/china-sees-uptick-super-golden-week-spending-amid-record-travel-surge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328354/china-sees-uptick-super-golden-week-spending-amid-record-travel-surge?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 08:02:49 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin More than 1.4 million mainland Chinese passenger trips were made to Hong Kong during the National Day “golden week” holiday, official data has shown, but the number still fell short of the city government’s expectations of nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels of 1.52 million. While Hong Kong retailers and caterers reported business growth of up to 20 per cent year on year during the break, a sector representative said on Thursday that tourists’ spending power had remained weak. According to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328315/14-million-mainland-passenger-trips-made-hong-kong-over-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328315/14-million-mainland-passenger-trips-made-hong-kong-over-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:29:14 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong retailers and caterers have reported business growth of up to 20 per cent year on year during mainland China’s National Day “golden week” break, with one tourist spending a whopping HK$1 million (US$128,500) on international brands. Industry leaders said stores selling gold, jewellery and cosmetic products emerged as the big winners as the eight-day break wrapped up on Wednesday, while cha chaan teng were the top dining choice, followed by Chinese restaurants. Cha chaan teng are Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328273/hong-kong-retailers-caterers-enjoy-national-day-break-business-growth-20?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328273/hong-kong-retailers-caterers-enjoy-national-day-break-business-growth-20?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:20:13 +0000 William Zheng William Zheng China’s transport system braced for a massive travel surge on Wednesday as millions of people prepared to return to work at the end of the annual “super golden week” holiday. Transport authorities added hundreds of extra trains and additional temporary electric vehicle charging stations to manage the rush on the final day of the week-long break, which included National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Ministry of Transport said the total number of journeys during the eight-day break was... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3328213/chinas-golden-week-travel-hit-record-24-billion-trips-rail-ev-traffic-surges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3328213/chinas-golden-week-travel-hit-record-24-billion-trips-rail-ev-traffic-surges?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:46:27 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen The Chinese transport authorities are preparing for a major travel rush as millions take to the roads and railways at the end of the national “golden week” holiday. The annual holiday, which ends on Wednesday, is one of the busiest times of the year for travel. On Monday, the Ministry of Public Security noted that a significant increase in return traffic flow was expected on Tuesday, especially in four megacity clusters: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3328044/china-braced-travel-rush-millions-head-home-end-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3328044/china-braced-travel-rush-millions-head-home-end-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:00:09 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing The number of mainland Chinese visitors coming to Hong Kong for the first five days of the National Day “golden week” break rose by 5.1 per cent from last year, while business leaders have said cosmetics sellers and cha chaan teng enjoyed a boost in customers. Maurice Kong Chi-hang, chairman of the Institute of Dining Professionals, said that the National Day fireworks on October 1 served as a draw for visitors, helping to prompt a 10 to 25 per cent increase in business for restaurants. But he... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328051/which-hong-kong-businesses-came-out-top-over-national-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328051/which-hong-kong-businesses-came-out-top-over-national-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:30:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Tourist hotspots overrun by holidaymakers has long been an issue of concern in mainland China. The problem has spilled over to Hong Kong. Most recently, hordes of visitors flooded the city’s Unesco Global Geopark in Sai Kung during the National Day “golden week” holiday, prompting calls for more vigorous law enforcement action against those who damage the fragile and much-treasured natural wonder. The government launched a joint operation on Sunday following extensive media coverage on the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3327994/hong-kongs-natural-beauty-needs-robust-protection-amid-tourism-boom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3327994/hong-kongs-natural-beauty-needs-robust-protection-amid-tourism-boom?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 22:45:07 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Visitors and locals thronged popular Hong Kong locations carrying lanterns and other light decorations to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, with a full moon visible in the clear night sky and many restaurants enjoying a 10 per cent rise in revenue compared with last year. A tourism sector body said on Monday that various activities held across the city would attract visitors, creating a “very ideal” landscape for the industry. With rail giant the MTR Corporation running some services overnight,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327999/hong-kong-restaurants-set-enjoy-10-revenue-rise-mid-autumn-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327999/hong-kong-restaurants-set-enjoy-10-revenue-rise-mid-autumn-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 08:04:38 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Overcrowding at a Unesco-listed geopark in Hong Kong during the National Day “golden week” holiday is not expected to have a “significant impact” on coral colonies, the city’s environment chief has said, stressing that authorities will assess the health of the reefs near an outlying island and review crowd control measures. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said on Monday that the damage to coral reefs off Sharp Island in Sai Kung was not extensive, after tourists were seen... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327961/crowds-outlying-hong-kong-island-wont-have-major-impact-corals-official?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327961/crowds-outlying-hong-kong-island-wont-have-major-impact-corals-official?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:01:49 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Thousands of people lined the narrow streets of Hong Kong’s Tai Hang neighbourhood in Causeway Bay on Sunday night to witness the annual fire dragon dance, with spectators calling the performance “unique” and “stunning”. Troupe members began the procession on Wun Sha Street at around 8.25pm, hoisting up the fire dragon straw frame adorned with more than 10,000 burning incense sticks as drums, gongs and cymbals were struck. Spectators cheered and hurried to snap photos as the 67-metre (200 foot)... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327931/unique-and-stunning-hong-kongs-fire-dragon-dance-draws-thousands-tai-hang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327931/unique-and-stunning-hong-kongs-fire-dragon-dance-draws-thousands-tai-hang?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:22:54 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong will step up patrols at a Unesco Global Geopark for the rest of the National Day “golden week” break after hordes of tourists flooded the place, with some trampling on corals and starting fires. The Environment and Ecology Bureau on Sunday said that staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) together with officers from the police force and Marine Department launched a joint operation on Sharp Island, also known as Kiu Tsui Chau, in Sai Kung. It said that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327926/hong-kong-steps-patrols-after-golden-week-tourists-overrun-sai-kung-island?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327926/hong-kong-steps-patrols-after-golden-week-tourists-overrun-sai-kung-island?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:44:34 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng In the run-up to National Day, a week-long celebration viewed as a litmus test for the strength of China’s domestic consumption, a fiery feud between a celebrity entrepreneur and one of the country’s best-known restaurant chains has drawn widespread attention to cost-saving practices in the food industry. The drama began on September 10, when influencer Luo Yonghao – a former teacher known for his outspoken views – blasted the popular Xibei restaurant chain on social media, claiming his... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327789/chinas-struggling-restaurants-feeling-queasy-debate-rages-over-pre-made-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327789/chinas-struggling-restaurants-feeling-queasy-debate-rages-over-pre-made-food?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:00:07 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Some tourists have been camping, cooking over open fires and removing marine creatures washed ashore in a Unesco-listed geopark in Hong Kong, potentially violating park rules and posing an ecological threat, the Post has found. Visitors who talked to the Post on Saturday were also split about how the park could be better protected – some suggested crowd control measures, while others questioned how authorities could balance such measures with the tourism experience. The Post’s visit followed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327885/tourist-activities-hong-kong-geopark-island-potentially-violate-park-rules?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327885/tourist-activities-hong-kong-geopark-island-potentially-violate-park-rules?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:56:53 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Early sales of mooncakes – a food traditionally distributed among families, workplaces and other social groups to celebrate China’s Mid-Autumn Festival – have softened compared to previous years, another sign the country’s domestic demand has yet to fully reenergise. Packages of mooncakes, typically round baked goods with a variety of dense fillings, are popular gifts during the holiday season, with luxury variants stuffed with premium ingredients like black truffle or Spanish ham serving as... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327788/mooncake-sales-wane-chinas-consumers-cut-back-non-essentials?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327788/mooncake-sales-wane-chinas-consumers-cut-back-non-essentials?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 06:00:32 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong’s hotels recorded occupancy rates of more than 80 per cent in the first three days of the National Day “golden week” holiday amid a 6.3 per cent rise in visitor arrivals, but industry leaders have warned that the city’s success in managing mega-event crowds may create a new hurdle for tourism. They warned that the government’s focus on ensuring major events ended earlier at night to help with cross-border travel was undercutting demand for extended stays. “There has been a noticeable... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327861/hong-kong-hotels-packed-national-day-break-so-why-industry-worried?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327861/hong-kong-hotels-packed-national-day-break-so-why-industry-worried?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 04:00:18 +0000