Hong Kong’s push to revive cross-border travel appears to be paying dividends. Government figures released on 1 December show retail sales in October rose 6.9 % year-on-year to HK$35.2 billion, driven largely by a 12.2 % jump in visitor arrivals to 4.59 million. Mainland tourists accounted for 3.45 million entries, a 10 % increase versus 2024, while long-haul arrivals from Southeast Asia and the Middle East recorded double-digit growth off a small base.
Jewellery, watches and luxury gifts—sectors closely correlated with tourist spending—were up 9.5 %. High-street fashion finally returned to positive territory, edging up 0.9 % after months of contraction. The data confirm that measures such as expanding multiple-entry permits for Shenzhen residents and launching the “Night Vibes Hong Kong” event series are translating into concrete consumer spend.
![Visitor Rebound Lifts Retail Sales 6.9 % as October Arrivals Top 4.6 Million]()
Analysts at DBS say the sustained rebound strengthens the case for companies to resume regional meetings and incentive travel in the city. Hoteliers already report average daily room rates 15 % higher than a year ago, and Cathay Pacific plans to operate 95 % of pre-pandemic passenger capacity by Lunar New Year 2026.
Yet challenges remain: retail volume for the first ten months of 2025 is still 1.5 % below last year, and the strong Hong Kong dollar could dampen inbound shopping tours. Travel-dependent businesses are urged to lock in peak-season staffing early, as labour shortages in F&B and hotel housekeeping persist.
For mobility managers, the uptick signals that assignees and frequent flyers will once again face fuller flights and tighter hotel inventory in 2026 budgeting cycles.
Jewellery, watches and luxury gifts—sectors closely correlated with tourist spending—were up 9.5 %. High-street fashion finally returned to positive territory, edging up 0.9 % after months of contraction. The data confirm that measures such as expanding multiple-entry permits for Shenzhen residents and launching the “Night Vibes Hong Kong” event series are translating into concrete consumer spend.
Analysts at DBS say the sustained rebound strengthens the case for companies to resume regional meetings and incentive travel in the city. Hoteliers already report average daily room rates 15 % higher than a year ago, and Cathay Pacific plans to operate 95 % of pre-pandemic passenger capacity by Lunar New Year 2026.
Yet challenges remain: retail volume for the first ten months of 2025 is still 1.5 % below last year, and the strong Hong Kong dollar could dampen inbound shopping tours. Travel-dependent businesses are urged to lock in peak-season staffing early, as labour shortages in F&B and hotel housekeeping persist.
For mobility managers, the uptick signals that assignees and frequent flyers will once again face fuller flights and tighter hotel inventory in 2026 budgeting cycles.
