Hong Kong records net outflow of 592,740 trips over 6-day Christmas period
But catering sector reports an 8 per cent boost in business on Christmas Day compared with last year
Hong Kong recorded a net outflow of 592,740 trips between Saturday and 9pm on Thursday but the catering sector reported an 8 per cent increase in business on Christmas Day compared with last year.
On Thursday, crowds of residents and visitors celebrated Boxing Day by enjoying new events, including a park exhibition featuring hundreds of panda sculptures and a Christmas-themed pyrotechnics display at the West Kowloon harbourfront.
Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, attributed the growth in business to the resumption of a multiple-entry visa scheme for residents in neighbouring Shenzhen.
“The average spending per mainland [Chinese] tourist is down by about 20 per cent compared with pre-pandemic times,” he said.
“But the higher numbers of visitors [bolstered by the reintroduction of the multiple-entry visa scheme for Shenzhen residents] have compensated for this loss.”
He said business on Christmas Day rose by 8 per cent and by 10 per cent on Christmas Eve compared with last year.