Enhanced Business Activities in Hong Kong During Holidays Despite 1.4 Million Residents Departing
Hong Kong Welcomes a Tourist Boom during 2025's Labour Day Week, Amidst Local Departures
In the year 2025, the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong experienced a significant influx of tourists during the Labour Day "golden week" break, according to local restaurateurs and retailers. despite a substantial number of locals traveling north.
The Hong Kong Immigration Department's data showed that an impressive 987,636 inbound trips were recorded from Thursday to Sunday of the week. Unsurprisingly, mainland tourists accounted for approximately 84% of the total, making 832,489 trips. This figure represented a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2024. However, the number of trips by mainlanders still fell short of the 997,663 recorded during the first four days of the 2019 Labour Day break.
Hong Kong residents clocked a total of approximately 1.4 million trips, with those taking off numbering nearly double the arrivals. Yet, despite the city recording a net outflow, the overall impact on local businesses was positive.
Taking a closer look at the first day of the break, 2025 saw a substantial boost with 213,181 mainland Chinese visitors pouring in on May 2, up from 181,400 in 2024. This surge in mainland tourists was accompanied by a corresponding increase in resident departures, which totaled 281,000. A key factor for this exodus seemed to be the multi-entry visa scheme for Shenzhen residents.
To attract mainland tourists, Hong Kong implemented various strategies. Notable among these were targeted tourism promotions, such as the Cheung Chau Bun Festival-themed drone show over Victoria Harbour and campaigns like the "Hong Kong Super March" by the HKTB. Such initiatives emphasized mega-events to boost engagement. Moreover, Trip.com Group reported double-digit growth in cross-border travel during the holiday, with travelers increasingly opting for multi-city itineraries that included Hong Kong.
A noteworthy aspect of the 2025 tourist boom was the concentration of spending by mainland visitors, particularly those on multi-entry visas, in the dining, retail, and entertainment sectors. Retailers and restaurateurs likely adapted by tailoring their offerings to attract these tourists, leveraging events like the Wan Chai drone show to drive foot traffic.
As coffee shops and stores buzzed with activity and restaurant tables filled with travelers, it appeared that the increased presence of mainland tourists had managed to offset the effects of residents departing the city.
- The Hong Kong Tourism Board launched the "Hong Kong Super March" campaign to attract more mainland tourists, offering promotions like the Cheung Chau Bun Festival-themed drone show over Victoria Harbour.
- On the first day of Labour Day break in 2025, a significant influx of 213,181 mainland Chinese visitors arrived in Hong Kong, an increase from the 181,400 in 2024.
- Alongside the surge in mainland tourists, Hong Kong residents embarked on 281,000 trips during the same period, possibly due to the multi-entry visa scheme for Shenzhen residents.
- As mainland visitors concentrated their spending in the dining, retail, and entertainment sectors, local businesses, despite the net outflow, experienced a positive overall impact during Labour Day Week in 2025.
