Hong Kong steps up preparations for National Day Golden Week influx
Hong Kong logs 36.67 million visitor arrivals in first eight months of 2026
Visitor arrivals reach post-pandemic record of 5.46 million in August
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Government rolls out Golden Week border and consumer-protection measures
Chief Executive John Lee unveiled a cross-department plan to manage the expected mainland tourist surge during National Day Golden Week. Measures include extra immigration counters, real-time checkpoint data, an expanded real-name trail-reservation system and on-the-spot licence revocations for forced shopping. The strategy aims to smooth border flows, protect consumer rights and safeguard Hong Kong’s tourism reputation.
Extra high-speed rail services and ferry tweaks announced for Golden Week
Hong Kong will add 26 temporary high-speed rail services between 25 September and 4 October and adjust multiple ferry sailings to handle National Day Golden Week traffic. Overnight road closures for T4 Trunk Road works are also scheduled. Companies with cross-border travel or freight movements should lock in train tickets and allow buffer time for diversions.
First Five-Year Plan set to reshape Hong Kong’s talent and mobility landscape
Hong Kong will unveil its first Five-Year Plan on 16 September, integrating goals for talent visas, cross-border transport and digitalised immigration clearance into a single framework. The blueprint is expected to tighten links between immigration quotas and economic needs, offering multinationals greater planning certainty but also necessitating close monitoring of policy roll-outs.
Chief Executive re-affirms crowd-control and enforcement focus ahead of Golden Week
In comments carried by RTHK, Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong will maintain a hard line against forced-shopping tours and expand real-name bookings for popular nature trails during Golden Week. The government will provide live information on border queues and attraction capacity, underscoring its determination to deliver a smooth visitor experience.
Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong 2026 opens, drawing 30,000+ buyers back to the city
The world’s largest B2B jewellery fair opened in Hong Kong on 14 September, bringing thousands of international buyers, exhibitors and support staff back to the city. The event tests Hong Kong’s upgraded airport and immigration facilities and is expected to inject billions into trade flows, underlining the city’s importance as a logistics and sourcing hub.
Eastar Jet launches daily Busan–Hong Kong service, boosting Korea-GBA connectivity
Eastar Jet began daily flights between Busan and Hong Kong on 14 September, restoring a key regional link and introducing low-cost competition on the route. The new service shortens journey times, offers aggressive fares and supports growing business travel between South Korea, Hong Kong and the wider Greater Bay Area.
Three-runway system propels Hong Kong airport toward 120 million-passenger vision
A 14 September 2026 analysis highlights how the completed Three-Runway System and smart-airport upgrades have boosted HKIA’s passenger and airline numbers, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a regional mobility hub. Expanded capacity, however, will hinge on attracting aviation talent and integrating with the city’s broader visa schemes.
Visa-free China travel guide highlights Hong Kong as seamless rail-air gateway
Trip.com’s new visa-free travel handbook underscores how Hong Kong’s airport and high-speed-rail terminus enable hassle-free, multi-city business itineraries in mainland China. Clear guidance on document requirements and time-limit calculations will help corporate mobility managers design compliant cross-border trips.
Hong Kong opens 2027 registration for Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme
On 14 September Hong Kong invited registrations for next year’s Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme, which removes licensing requirements for strategic goods passing through HKIA. The move strengthens the city’s status as a fast-turnaround logistics hub and has knock-on advantages for corporate travellers escorting high-value cargo.
Customs seizes HK$2.26 million in cannabis at Hong Kong International Airport, steps up risk-based passenger screening
On 14 September 2026, Hong Kong Customs seized 11.2 kg of cannabis worth HK$2.26 million from a passenger arriving from Kuala Lumpur and vowed to intensify risk-based screening at the airport. The case highlights an emerging Southeast Asia–Hong Kong trafficking route and signals potential delays for travellers on high-risk flights.
Labour Department ends acceptance of contract corrigendum under Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme
From 14 September the Labour Department will no longer accept corrigenda to ESLS employment contracts, mandating a full contract re-issue whenever terms change. The procedural shift lengthens visa lead times and requires HR teams to update onboarding checklists to stay compliant.
Multicultural job fair to offer 2,200 vacancies and on-site Immigration career booths
At a briefing on 14 September 2026, the Labour Department announced a multicultural job fair featuring 2,200 vacancies and dedicated Immigration Department booths to advise ethnic-minority job-seekers on visa options and entry requirements. The event reflects Hong Kong’s push to widen its talent pipeline and support workforce diversity.
Airport Express adds late-night services ahead of Golden Week rush
A new Airport Express timetable—publicly available on 14 September—adds post-midnight trains between Central and the airport, improving late-night connectivity ahead of the Golden Week travel peak. Global-mobility teams can leverage the change to cut ground-transport costs and streamline arrivals.
Hong Kong ends use of contract addendum for imported workers under Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme
Effective 14 September 2026, Immigration will no longer accept the separate "Corrigendum to Standard Employment Contract" used under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme. All variations must now be incorporated into a fresh Standard Employment Contract, tightening oversight of imported-labour conditions and requiring employers to build in extra lead time for approvals.
Customs intercept HK$9 million cocaine haul at HKIA, highlights tightened baggage screening
A major drug seizure at Hong Kong International Airport on 14 September highlights the city’s new AI-driven baggage-screening regime. While boosting border security, the stricter checks could add time to luggage collection for travellers carrying bulky commercial samples, necessitating planning adjustments.