SINGTAO
Hongkongers are showing increased interest in local tours and “staycations” for the upcoming Easter holiday, with some citing concerns about potential earthquakes in Japan, the travel industry has observed.
Meanwhile, the local catering sector expects moderate improvement this Easter, aided by Shenzhen’s multiple-entry visa policy, though outbound travel still affects local restaurants.
Local participation in domestic tour groups has risen to about 50 percent this year, even as overall bookings for local tours during Easter dropped by 30 percent compared to 2024, according to Andy Lam, director of Prince Traveller.
He told Sing Tao Daily, The Standard’s sister newspaper, that hotel bookings by citizens through travel agencies also increased by 20 percent, suggesting that many are choosing shorter local trips before potentially traveling abroad later.
“With a four-day public holiday, some may prefer to spend a day or two in Hong Kong before going overseas,” Lam said.
The shift comes amid heightened concerns over seismic activity in Japan and Southeast Asia, prompting some travelers to reconsider their plans.
“Some clients explicitly mentioned worries about earthquakes in Japan, so they decided to stay in Hong Kong or switch to destinations like Europe or Taiwan,” Lam added.
Meanwhile, tours to mainland China — particularly to Dali, Yunan, which recently launched direct flights — have seen steady demand, with high-speed rail trips to destinations like Xi’an and Guizhou increasing by about 10 percent.
Ken Poon, A-Team Travel’s study tour manager, said Japan-bound educational trips declined by 30 percent this Easter, with some schools rerouting groups to Singapore instead.
Poon added that mainland China remains the top destination for study tours, accounting for 30 to 40 percent of bookings, with Sichuan seeing a 30 percent surge in interest — likely tied to Hong Kong’s promotion of panda-themed tourism.
Chan Kar-keung, deputy director of Ying Ho Travel Services, reported a 10 percent increase in high-speed rail tour bookings due to expanded routes and stable holiday pricing, though overall mainland tour numbers dipped 10 percent as this year’s Easter missed peak flower season.
Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said while Easter outbound travel continues to impact local dining businesses, the effect may be less severe than in previous years.
“The ‘multiple-entry‘ policy has brought more mainland tourists, and with landlords reducing rents, operating pressures have eased slightly,” Wong said.
However, he acknowledged that consumer spending remains subdued.
Retailers and malls are also rolling out Easter-themed events, such as reptile pet markets and cartoon egg hunts, to attract families. Yet, industry sources expect holiday sales to dip by about 10 percent year-on-year, as heavy discounting throughout the year has limited the appeal of seasonal promotions.
(Ayra Wang)
AloJapan.com