Hong Kong’s efforts to revive cross-border travel appear to be paying off handsomely. According to provisional data released late on 15 December by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the city welcomed about 45 million visitors between January and November 2025— already eclipsing the 2024 full-year total of 40 million. November alone saw 4.2 million arrivals, a 17 percent jump on the same month last year.
Mainland China remains the backbone of the recovery, contributing 34.5 million arrivals so far this year, up 11 percent year-on-year. Yet the most eye-catching growth is coming from overseas markets: non-mainland visitor numbers surged 16 percent to 10.5 million, led by Japan, Taiwan, Australia and the United States. Industry executives say relaxed visa-free entry for short-term professionals, expanded e-channel access for foreign passport holders and aggressive marketing in second-tier cities have all helped.
If you—or your globally mobile employees—need clarity on which documents are required before boarding a flight, VisaHQ can streamline the entire process. The service’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) provides real-time updates on visa policies, allows bulk submissions for corporate travelers, and offers expedited processing options, removing guesswork at a time when entry rules are evolving quickly.
![Visitor arrivals hit 45 million as Hong Kong tourism roars back]()
The momentum also reflects smoother regional connectivity. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail is running a record 100-plus trains per day, while airlines have rebuilt more than 80 percent of pre-pandemic seat capacity. The new “Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles” scheme—launched in mid-November—lets mainland motorists park at automated lots near the airport and enter the city centre from 23 December, a move expected to feed additional leisure and MICE demand.
For corporates, the rebound means easier scheduling of regional meetings and more predictable travel budgets heading into 2026. Hotels are reporting average daily rates 12-15 percent higher than a year ago, and serviced-apartment operators are reinstating monthly corporate packages they suspended during the pandemic. Mobility managers should expect tighter availability during peak trade-fair weeks such as the Asian Financial Forum in January and the Jewellery & Gem show in March.
The HKTB says it will double international marketing spend in 2026, stressing Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” under the Greater Bay Area blueprint. If current trends hold, total arrivals could surpass 50 million by year-end—about 75 percent of the 2018 record—cementing the city’s return as one of Asia’s busiest gateways for business travellers and relocating staff.
Mainland China remains the backbone of the recovery, contributing 34.5 million arrivals so far this year, up 11 percent year-on-year. Yet the most eye-catching growth is coming from overseas markets: non-mainland visitor numbers surged 16 percent to 10.5 million, led by Japan, Taiwan, Australia and the United States. Industry executives say relaxed visa-free entry for short-term professionals, expanded e-channel access for foreign passport holders and aggressive marketing in second-tier cities have all helped.
If you—or your globally mobile employees—need clarity on which documents are required before boarding a flight, VisaHQ can streamline the entire process. The service’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) provides real-time updates on visa policies, allows bulk submissions for corporate travelers, and offers expedited processing options, removing guesswork at a time when entry rules are evolving quickly.
The momentum also reflects smoother regional connectivity. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail is running a record 100-plus trains per day, while airlines have rebuilt more than 80 percent of pre-pandemic seat capacity. The new “Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles” scheme—launched in mid-November—lets mainland motorists park at automated lots near the airport and enter the city centre from 23 December, a move expected to feed additional leisure and MICE demand.
For corporates, the rebound means easier scheduling of regional meetings and more predictable travel budgets heading into 2026. Hotels are reporting average daily rates 12-15 percent higher than a year ago, and serviced-apartment operators are reinstating monthly corporate packages they suspended during the pandemic. Mobility managers should expect tighter availability during peak trade-fair weeks such as the Asian Financial Forum in January and the Jewellery & Gem show in March.
The HKTB says it will double international marketing spend in 2026, stressing Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” under the Greater Bay Area blueprint. If current trends hold, total arrivals could surpass 50 million by year-end—about 75 percent of the 2018 record—cementing the city’s return as one of Asia’s busiest gateways for business travellers and relocating staff.
