Some Hongkongers have said they are only staying home for Christmas to avoid peak pricing, stressing the city still has ample room for improvement to attract tourists and locals.
As of 4pm on Wednesday, the first day of the Christmas holiday, more than 483,000 residents had left the city, with over 88,000 others coming back. Nearly 477,500 residents departed the city the day before.
Young families were among those who queued up at the West Kowloon Cultural District on Christmas Day for activities such as the Big Bounce Hong Kong, the world’s largest touring inflatable event.
The four restaurants along the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade were packed with customers waiting their turn to secure a coveted table.
Stephanie Lee, who spent Wednesday morning walking her dog along the promenade, said she stayed in the city because it was “too expensive” to travel during the peak season.
The 30-year-old said she would go to Japan after the two-day public holiday and return before the New Year.