Visitor Arrivals in Hong Kong Drop by 24% in July Amid Covid-19 Pandemic
Hong Kong saw a decline in visitor arrivals in July, with provisional figures showing a 24% drop compared to the same month in 2019. Despite this decrease, the city welcomed over 3.9 million visitors in July, marking a 9% increase from the previous year.
Mainland China remained the largest source market for Hong Kong, accounting for 80% of visitor arrivals, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). The city has been working to rebuild its tourism industry since the government lifted all Covid-19 restrictions in early 2023.
In the first seven months of 2024, Hong Kong recorded a total of 25 million arrivals, representing a 52% increase compared to the same period in 2023. However, the industry has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, with July’s figures reflecting a significant decrease in visitors.
The city saw a total of 3.1 million travelers from mainland China in July, which is 75% of the number recorded in July 2019. Additionally, over 781,000 visitors from foreign countries, Taiwan, and Macau visited Hong Kong in July, representing 75% of the number in July 2019.
Taiwan issued a travel alert advising its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China due to safety concerns related to recent security laws and judicial guidelines in China. Despite these challenges, the HKTB has been working to promote tourism in Hong Kong through various initiatives.
The government has allocated resources to enhance the city’s appeal to tourists and boost the tourism sector in 2024. Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced a HK$1.1 billion investment to promote mega events and tourism in Hong Kong. As part of these efforts, the HKTB has been hosting firework displays and drone shows every month against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.
Tourists who have experienced the drone shows have expressed high levels of satisfaction, with over 90% agreeing that the shows enhanced their visit to Hong Kong. More than 95% of respondents stated that they would recommend the drone shows to friends and relatives, indicating a positive response to the initiative.
The HKTB organized a drone show featuring the Chau Bun Festival in May and another showcasing the Dragon Boat Festival in June. These events have been well-received by tourists and have contributed to enhancing the overall visitor experience in Hong Kong.
As the tourism industry continues to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts to promote Hong Kong as a desirable destination are crucial. The drone shows and other initiatives led by the HKTB are playing a significant role in attracting visitors and improving their overall perception of the city.
Overall, while visitor arrivals in July saw a decline compared to pre-pandemic levels, the positive response to initiatives such as the drone shows indicates a potential for growth in Hong Kong’s tourism sector. By continuing to invest in promoting the city and offering unique experiences to visitors, Hong Kong can position itself as a leading destination for travelers in the post-pandemic era.
