The number of inbound visitors to Hong Kong reached a new high in November, and peaked again in December during the holiday season!

Data released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on 15 December revealed that cumulative visitor arrivals to Hong Kong reached 45 million in the first eleven months of this year, already surpassing last year's full-year total. November alone saw 4.2 million arrivals, marking a 17% year-on-year increase, with non-mainland markets performing particularly strongly at 22% growth. This robust growth trajectory has laid a solid foundation for the year-end travel peak season. Industry consensus anticipates that, bolstered by the three-day mainland holiday period over Christmas and New Year, Hong Kong's inbound arrivals are poised to reach another monthly peak in December, with projections suggesting 1.2 million visitors.

November's record monthly arrivals mark not only a significant milestone in Hong Kong's tourism recovery but also underscore global travellers' renewed confidence in the city's appeal. The cumulative 45 million arrivals recorded in the first eleven months have comfortably surpassed last year's total, signalling a comprehensive rebound and surpassing of pre-pandemic levels. Within market segments, non-mainland markets recorded a 22% year-on-year increase in November, outpacing overall growth. This reflects Hong Kong's steadily improving competitiveness within the global tourism landscape. Beyond mainland visitors, travellers from other countries and regions continue to return, fostering a more diversified and balanced market structure.

The robust November figures have bolstered confidence for December's peak travel season, with the three-day mainland holiday over Christmas and New Year presenting a pivotal opportunity to drive visitor numbers to new heights. As the festive season intensifies, Hong Kong's major shopping districts and attractions have pre-emptively prepared diverse themed events. Coupled with the ongoing impact of promotional campaigns like the ‘Winter Wonderland Festival,’ these initiatives create rich cultural and tourism consumption experiences for visitors. For mainland travellers, the three-day break provides ample time for short-haul trips to Hong Kong. The convenient 24-hour clearance policy at Shenzhen-Hong Kong border crossings eliminates concerns over return journey timing, further lowering travel barriers and stimulating trip intentions.

The industry's projection of 1.2 million arrivals in December is not unfounded speculation, but rather a comprehensive assessment grounded in market trends and multiple favourable factors. On one hand, November's robust growth has established positive market momentum, with visitor enthusiasm remaining high. On the other, Hong Kong's coordinated efforts in festive atmosphere creation, consumer incentives, and border facilitation have synergistically enhanced the city's overall appeal. Furthermore, the ongoing recovery of global air transport capacity provides more robust travel options for international visitors to Hong Kong, supporting steady growth in arrivals.

The sustained increase in arrivals will directly benefit Hong Kong's tourism, catering, and retail sectors, further invigorating the local consumer market. With substantial visitor influxes, footfall and turnover in major commercial districts are expected to rise significantly, injecting momentum into the year-end economic push. A spokesperson from the Hong Kong Tourism Board stated that the organisation will continue to coordinate resources across sectors to optimise tourism service experiences, ensuring visitors enjoy seamless travel and secure consumption in Hong Kong, thereby supporting the sustained positive development of the city's tourism market.