Travel demand between the mainland and Hong Kong is roaring back just in time for the Year of the Horse. The Travel Industry Council (TIC) projects up to 1.4 million mainland Chinese visitors between 15 and 23 February—around 6 per cent more than last year’s festive period—filling some 2 600 organised tour groups. High-speed-rail tickets from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and even Shanghai sold out within minutes, while hotels in core shopping districts report occupancy approaching 100 per cent and room-rate hikes of 10–15 per cent. (scmp.com)
Why the uptick? TIC executive director Fanny Yeung credits Hong Kong’s new “mega-events economy”, pointing to a cinematic exhibition at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station and enhanced fireworks funding by the tourism board. Chek Lap Kok airport has also increased flight slots for mainland carriers, and MTR Corporation will run extra high-speed services across the border during the nine-day mainland holiday. Retailers hope the timing—five weeks after Christmas—will unlock a second wave of spending.
![Lunar New Year surge to bring 1.4 million mainland visitors to Hong Kong]()
Need a hand navigating permits, e-Channel enrolment or last-minute visa questions? VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) lets both individual visitors and corporate travel managers verify entry requirements, complete online applications and track approvals from one dashboard, easing paperwork headaches during peak holiday periods.
For mobility managers, the surge has two sides. On the upside, executives can piggy-back on expanded flight and rail capacity when planning regional meetings. On the downside, corporate travellers should brace for scarce hotel inventory, longer taxi queues and congestion at Lo Wu and West Kowloon control points. Companies are advising regional staff to obtain e-Channel enrolment (for eligible passports) and to book transport at least two weeks ahead.
Policy-wise, immigration formalities remain unchanged: mainland residents still require a valid Exit-Entry Permit with the correct endorsement, but no additional testing or health declarations are in place. However, customs officers have warned of random luggage checks for parallel-trading goods, and employers should remind staff of new duty-free limits on personal-use cosmetics and electronics.
Why the uptick? TIC executive director Fanny Yeung credits Hong Kong’s new “mega-events economy”, pointing to a cinematic exhibition at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station and enhanced fireworks funding by the tourism board. Chek Lap Kok airport has also increased flight slots for mainland carriers, and MTR Corporation will run extra high-speed services across the border during the nine-day mainland holiday. Retailers hope the timing—five weeks after Christmas—will unlock a second wave of spending.
Need a hand navigating permits, e-Channel enrolment or last-minute visa questions? VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) lets both individual visitors and corporate travel managers verify entry requirements, complete online applications and track approvals from one dashboard, easing paperwork headaches during peak holiday periods.
For mobility managers, the surge has two sides. On the upside, executives can piggy-back on expanded flight and rail capacity when planning regional meetings. On the downside, corporate travellers should brace for scarce hotel inventory, longer taxi queues and congestion at Lo Wu and West Kowloon control points. Companies are advising regional staff to obtain e-Channel enrolment (for eligible passports) and to book transport at least two weeks ahead.
Policy-wise, immigration formalities remain unchanged: mainland residents still require a valid Exit-Entry Permit with the correct endorsement, but no additional testing or health declarations are in place. However, customs officers have warned of random luggage checks for parallel-trading goods, and employers should remind staff of new duty-free limits on personal-use cosmetics and electronics.
