Hongkongers make more than 1.5 million outbound trips in first 3 days of Easter break, nearly 5 times visitor numbers

The net outflow, which was well above the level recorded in 2018 before the Covid-19 pandemic, hit the local food and beverage sector hard, with one industry leader reporting a 30 per cent decline in business over the holiday as high-end restaurants suffered the most.

Steven Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of travel agency EGL Tours, said on Monday he observed a significant surge in cross-border tours during the four-day break, adding that the number of Hongkongers on such visits to mainland China had tripled compared with Easter last year.

“Travellers are going in waves not only to Shenzhen or the Greater Bay Area, but the rest of the country,” Huen said on a radio show.

He said figures for those heading to Europe and Southeast Asia had doubled compared with the holiday period last year, while trips to popular destination Japan only climbed by about 10 per cent because of the already high base figure from 2023.

Data from the Immigration Department reviewed by the Post on Monday showed that from Friday to Sunday, the city recorded a combined 1.51 million outbound trips made by residents – 700,808 on Friday, 453,946 on Saturday and 358,300 on Sunday.

The total was nearly five times the number of inbound trips made by mainlanders and other visitors over the period, which stood at 330,248. The city logged 101,052 trips on Friday from those visitors, 136,051 on Saturday and 93,145 on Sunday.

The number of visitor arrivals in the first three days of Easter this year dropped 35 per cent compared with 2018, before anti-government protests rocked the city and the pandemic wrought havoc on global travel. Outbound trips by residents rose 16 per cent this year against 2018 levels.

‘Miserable’: Hong Kong restaurants lament drop in business over Easter holiday

Among those leaving the city over the weekend, 76 per cent used land crossings to the mainland such as Lo Wu, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and the high-speed rail link, according to Immigration Department data.

Simon Wong Ka-wo, the president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said that high-end eateries suffered the most, which he attributed to wealthier diners opting to go on trips outside the city.

“If we are comparing with figures from last Easter, our business dropped more than 30 per cent,” Wong said. “In particular, there is a 40 per cent decline in nighttime business when compared with [non-public holiday periods].”

Hong Kong malls offer free parking as 541,000 people leave city for Easter break

He said that while hosting mega events was helpful and could draw some visitors to the city, the only restaurants likely to benefit were those close to venues in West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Admiralty or the harbourfront areas near the contemporary art fairs Art Basel or Art Central.

Wong said the Macau government faced similar challenges with its residents heading to the mainland in droves, but had left no stone unturned in their efforts to lure visitors from across the border.

“It’s very convenient whether it’s parking or public transport in Macau. Special deals have also been given to tourists in Macau, such as concert tickets,” he said. “In this regard, Hong Kong businesses seem to be fighting a lone battle.”

He said Hong Kong’s food and beverage, retail, and tourism sectors should design travel packages with Macau in the future to help revive business activity.