Hong Kong travellers have begun leaving the city over the Christmas holiday season, opting for short-haul, value-for-money destinations in South Korea, Japan and northeast mainland China, particularly snowy locales.
Companies organising short-haul tours experienced a 30 per cent increase in bookings for Christmas and New Year – a return to pre-pandemic levels – while those specialising in long-haul luxury travel reported slow business over the same period as residents chose deals that were more affordable.
The Travel Industry Council, a federation of local travel trade associations, estimated about 1,800 tour groups would be departing the city during the holiday season, about the same number as last year.
Fanny Yeung, the council’s executive director, said: “The most popular destinations are Japan, South Korea, and northeastern China. People tend to look for a white Christmas.
“Tour prices in general are relatively lower than last year due to resumption of short-haul flight capacity, which increases the supply.”
The Immigration Department, meanwhile, estimated that over 13 million passenger trips, including locals and visitors, would pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the Christmas and New Year period, from December 21 to January 1.