Geopolitical frostiness between China and Japan has not dented Hong Kong residents’ appetite for the archipelago. Travel agencies at a consumer fair in Wan Chai on 29 January reported that Japan remains their top long-haul seller even after Beijing advised mainland citizens to avoid the country over a diplomatic row. Flights from Hong Kong to 13 Japanese cities are operating normally and the weak yen—down nearly 15 % against the Hong Kong dollar year-on-year—continues to lure shoppers and skiers.(scmp.com)
For mobility planners the message is clear: demand pressure on Hong Kong–Japan routes will persist through the Lunar New Year peak. Airport Authority figures show close to 150 daily departures during the festive period, or one every 15 minutes. Carriers are deploying wide-bodies to meet leisure and VFR traffic, which squeezes premium-economy and business-class inventory prized by corporate travellers. Early ticketing and use of corporate fare caps are advised.
To help travellers stay ahead of any sudden rule changes, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) consolidates the latest Japanese visa requirements, offers digital form submission and courier options, and provides real-time status updates—saving both holidaymakers and corporate mobility teams valuable time and hassle.
![Demand for Japan stays strong among Hong Kong travellers despite Beijing–Tokyo tensions]()
The situation also highlights the “one country, two systems” advantage. While mainland tour groups face cancellations on 49 routes, Hong Kong’s autonomous bilateral air-services agreements insulate its schedules. That flexibility bolsters the city’s position as a neutral connection point for multinational teams operating across North Asia.
Risk managers should, however, monitor any escalation in the Sino-Japanese dispute. If Beijing widens its advisory to Hong Kong ID-card holders or if Tokyo tightens entry rules, mobility programmes may need contingency routings via Seoul or Taipei.
For now, operators are doubling down. Package prices for spring cherry-blossom tours were cut by as much as 20 % at the fair, and hotel groups offered free-night promotions—evidence that, politics aside, Japanese tourism boards still view Hong Kong as a priority source market.
For mobility planners the message is clear: demand pressure on Hong Kong–Japan routes will persist through the Lunar New Year peak. Airport Authority figures show close to 150 daily departures during the festive period, or one every 15 minutes. Carriers are deploying wide-bodies to meet leisure and VFR traffic, which squeezes premium-economy and business-class inventory prized by corporate travellers. Early ticketing and use of corporate fare caps are advised.
To help travellers stay ahead of any sudden rule changes, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) consolidates the latest Japanese visa requirements, offers digital form submission and courier options, and provides real-time status updates—saving both holidaymakers and corporate mobility teams valuable time and hassle.
The situation also highlights the “one country, two systems” advantage. While mainland tour groups face cancellations on 49 routes, Hong Kong’s autonomous bilateral air-services agreements insulate its schedules. That flexibility bolsters the city’s position as a neutral connection point for multinational teams operating across North Asia.
Risk managers should, however, monitor any escalation in the Sino-Japanese dispute. If Beijing widens its advisory to Hong Kong ID-card holders or if Tokyo tightens entry rules, mobility programmes may need contingency routings via Seoul or Taipei.
For now, operators are doubling down. Package prices for spring cherry-blossom tours were cut by as much as 20 % at the fair, and hotel groups offered free-night promotions—evidence that, politics aside, Japanese tourism boards still view Hong Kong as a priority source market.
