Labour-Day Golden Week pushes Hong Kong–Shenzhen checkpoints to capacity
Tourism chief rolls out real-time crowd-control tools as 980,000 mainland visitors descend on Hong Kong
Border movements top one million by 9 p.m. on 2 May, Immigration Department says
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Sharp Island cordoned off to protect corals as visitor numbers soar
Authorities have fenced off sections of Sharp Island and capped daily visitors at 1,000 to shield delicate corals during the Labour-Day tourism rush. Mobility and relocation firms must reroute clients’ weekend excursions, while the trial may pave the way for longer-term visitor-cap regulations.
Hong Kong opens “no-strings” car quota for Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
Hong Kong will release 1,400 cross-boundary car permits on 7 May under a new “open quota” that any permanent resident or company can apply for, eliminating the business-link requirements that previously restricted access. The change promises faster, more flexible mobility for SMEs and frequent travellers to Macao and Zhuhai, but demand is expected to outstrip supply, with permits allocated by ballot.([news.gov.hk](https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2026/05/20260501/20260501_110324_730.html))
Mainland visitor arrivals hit 242,000 on first day of Labour-Day Golden Week
Immigration data show 242,000 mainland Chinese entries into Hong Kong on 1 May alone, signalling the strongest Labour-Day Golden Week since borders reopened. While the influx boosts retail and hospitality revenues, it also tightens flight and hotel availability for corporate travellers, requiring contingency planning for assignees and short-notice trips.([scmp.com](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352119/golden-week-opens-76056-mainland-visitors-flooding-hong-kong-hikes-city-walks))
Immigration Department projects 980,000 mainland arrivals over 5-day holiday
Officials expect about 980,000 mainland tourists to enter Hong Kong during the 1–5 May Labour-Day break, prompting the Immigration Department to extend control-point hours and activate extra e-Channel lanes. Businesses should brace for intense demand across transport, telecoms and hospitality, as well as potential crowd-management challenges.([chinadailyasia.com](https://www.chinadailyasia.com/article/632863))