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Ambrose Li

Wynna Wong

Hongkongers made close to 1.4 million outbound trips in the three days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Eve, a 21.6 per cent increase from the same period last year, while inbound journeys by visitors rose by 5 per cent to more than 550,000.
Despite the increase in departing residents, some restaurants reported a slight uptick in bookings for Lunar New Year’s Eve “reunion dinners”, an important custom in which Chinese families gather over a meal.
Immigration Department data released on Monday showed that from February 13 to 15, residents made 1.39 million outbound trips, up from 1.14 million in the January 25 to 27 period last year.
On Sunday, Hongkongers made 367,722 outbound trips.
Both this year and in 2025, residents were able to take two weekdays off alongside the three Lunar New Year public holidays to create a nine-day break, with two weekends flanking the five days.
Unlike last year, the festive period this time coincided with Valentine’s Day on February 14.

Samme Cheng Pak-man, vice-chairman of the Institute of Dining Professionals, said on Monday that bookings for reunion dinners on Lunar New Year’s Eve had risen by about 5 per cent compared with last year.
He said the sheer volume of people choosing to gather for a meal had increased as people still viewed the holiday as an important traditional event.
“At Christmas, because of the Tai Po fire, many companies and enterprises halted their Christmas or New Year celebrations,” he said. “These have now been moved to this period … because for companies, these are important for morale.”
He added: “Although some locals have travelled abroad, those who stay in Hong Kong tend to dine out.”
He also said locals, as well as tourists, were exhibiting a “polarised” spending pattern, preferring either high-end specialised restaurants or affordable snack shops that had local flair and were eye-catching on social media. As a result, those in between were feeling the squeeze.
“Mid-range price points have not seen a particularly obvious increase [in bookings] here,” he said, adding the industry remained “quite conservative” with pricing to avoid alienating middle-income families.
The number of arrivals from mainland China grew about 6 per cent from 419,072 to 446,285 over the same period, while those from overseas dropped by 0.3 per cent from 105,417 to 105,097.
The mainland Lunar New Year break of nine days is one of the longest in years, running from February 15 to 23, compared with the eight-day holiday last year.
Lai Wing-chun, chairman of the Hong Kong Wholesale Florist Association, said the proximity of the Lunar New Year holiday and Valentine’s Day had led to weaker business for local florists.
“Some shoppers used the same flowers for both celebrations,” Lai said, adding that families typically spent about HK$1,000 (US$128) this year, roughly the same as in 2025, with orchids remaining among the most popular Lunar New Year choices.
Michael Leung Chun-wah, chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, said business for reunion dinners was good despite fewer bookings on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
“Restaurants are all full, doing one round of business. There might have been more than one in the previous years, but bookings were also very good on Saturday and Sunday as people had their reunion dinners earlier before travelling. Overall, it is good,” Leung said.
He said prices had risen by about 5 per cent to more than HK$4,000 per table for families, while corporate bookings – typically ranging from HK$5,000 to HK$6,000 – also did well as many companies cancelled their Christmas celebrations and postponed them until now.
A survey of 1,082 residents aged 15 or above between February 2 and 13, conducted by the Hong Kong Research Association and released on Monday, showed that 38 per cent of respondents planned to spend more during the holiday, suggesting a recovery in Lunar New Year consumption levels.
According to the survey, the higher consumption was likely to benefit entertainment and retail businesses, with higher spenders indicating an interest in shopping for gifts and clothing, and spending on outings.
Among those who planned to give out red packets – typically married couples and business owners – 48 per cent said their average amount would be HK$20, a drop from 53 per cent last year.
Seventeen per cent said their red packets would contain an average of HK$50, up from 16 per cent last year. Twelve per cent planned for HK$100 or more as their average red packet, down from 15 per cent last year.


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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong residents made 1.39 million outbound trips from February 13 to 15, according to the Immigration Department. Photo: Elson Li

The number of arrivals from mainland China and overseas reached 551,382 ahead of Lunar New Year. Photo: Elson Li

Savvy Hongkongers book 9-day Lunar New Year break for festive trips across Asia

Travellers wait in long queues to check in at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Elson Li

Travellers’ picks included Japan and Malaysia for the holiday. Photo: Elson Li

Travellers wait to board at the West Kowloon high-speed railway terminus. Photo: Elson Li

Star Cruises ‘fully prepared’ for next Hong Kong sailing after anger over axed trip

Hundreds of passengers queue at Ocean Terminal waiting to board the ship. Photo: Facebook/Longman Lo

Black smoke billows out of the ship’s funnel at Ocean Terminal. Photo: Handout

A two-night cruise by Star Voyager (right) was cancelled on Friday. Photo: Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Longer holiday, Valentine’s Day overlap drive 21.6 per cent increase in outbound trips from 2025


Longer holiday, Valentine’s Day overlap drive 21.6 per cent increase in outbound trips from 2025.


Hongkongers make 1.4 million outbound trips ahead of Lunar New Year

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Longer holiday, Valentine’s Day overlap drive 21.6 per cent increase in outbound trips from 2025

Longer holiday, Valentine’s Day overlap drive 21.6 per cent increase in outbound trips from 2025