Tourist visits to Hong Kong during Lunar New Year holiday surpass 1.16 million

Hong Kong recorded more than 1.16 million tourist arrivals from 15 to 20 February, as large numbers of mainland Chinese residents visited the city during the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year holiday, according to local data released on Saturday (21 February).

Of the total, visits from mainland China exceeded 980,000, according to data from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. Earlier estimates had projected total mainland Chinese arrivals during the nine-day holiday period to reach 1.43 million.

The extended holiday allowed tourists to undertake in-depth tours of various corners and hidden spots in Hong Kong, with many visitors choosing to stay on Lamma Island and other quieter locations rather than in the city centre. For families with secondary school children, visits to Hong Kong’s world-class universities became a regular fixture on their travel itineraries.

Following a surge in gold prices, gold jewellery shops in Hong Kong recorded strong sales from mainland Chinese tourists during the holiday season. Many customers purchased accessories and jewellery featuring horse motifs to celebrate the Year of the Horse.