Hong Kong records 10% rise in festive period visitors as outbound trips surge 22%
Despite increase in tourists, merchants warn absence of New Year fireworks may impact visitor numbers and, in turn, the retail sector
Hong Kong received 10 per cent more visitors during the Christmas period compared with 2024, while residents made nearly 1.7 million outbound trips, representing a 22 per cent increase from last year.
Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the retail sector also expressed concerns that the absence of the annual fireworks display could affect the number of visitors to the city in the coming days, further dampening local consumer sentiment following the deadly fire in Tai Po.
“Because of the Tai Po fire, consumer sentiment weakened over the past three weeks, affecting overall retail sales,” said lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai, who represents the retail sector.
“Coupled with the trend of residents heading north to spend on the mainland, I believe retail performance [over the Christmas period] may not be as strong as last year.”
The city experienced a more subdued festive atmosphere after Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades last month, which killed 161 people.
Shiu said that while sales of essential products such as everyday cosmetics appeared stronger, overall Christmas spending fell short of last year’s levels.