Hong Kong prepares for expected mainland visitor rise during two holiday periods

Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau held a cross-department meeting on 11 September to prepare for an expected rise in visitors from the mainland during two upcoming holiday periods. The meeting, chaired by Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law, covered arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival long weekend from 25 to 27 September and National Day Golden Week from 1 to 7 October.

National Day Golden Week is a peak period for Hong Kong tourism, and officials and the tourism sector expect visitor numbers to increase significantly. Government departments and related organisations are making preparations in advance for the anticipated demand.

The authorities plan to strengthen coordination and communication with relevant mainland bodies. Hong Kong government departments, tourism regulators and industry representatives will continue planning different parts of the visitor reception process, covering both holiday periods.

The police, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Department, Transport Department, Travel Industry Authority, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Travel Industry Council were among the bodies attending or represented at the meeting. Major tourist attractions and hotels were also involved. Some reports additionally named the Department of Health, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and district offices; the reports differed in how many participating bodies they listed.

Government departments and the tourism sector will also step up enforcement against violations, including coercive shopping, to protect visitors’ rights and strengthen confidence in Hong Kong tourism. The Travel Industry Authority had previously revoked the licences of travel agencies and guides over violations including coercive shopping, according to Ming Pao.

Preparatory work is now under way, but the reports did not give a specific expected visitor total or detail transport and crowd-management measures for the holidays. They also did not set out a timetable for further announcements.