Hong Kong’s border control points have been running at near–pre-pandemic capacity after the first four days (1–4 October) of the mainland’s National Day “Golden Week” holiday drew 1.06 million visitor arrivals, according to the Immigration Department. Daily arrivals peaked at 277,304 on 1 October—19 percent higher than the first day of last year’s break—before tapering to roughly 200,000 a day as the week progressed. Traffic was heaviest at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay land crossings, but the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge also recorded its busiest spell since opening in 2018. Airport Authority figures show passenger volumes at Hong Kong International Airport averaging 126,000 a day, with Cathay Pacific and HK Express adding 42 extra flights to meet demand. Hoteliers report average occupancy above 90 percent, while the Tourism Board estimates total Golden Week spending could exceed HK $8 billion (US $1 billion). Retail groups said early-week takings were particularly strong for luxury and electronics, although a weaker yuan and shorter seven-day mainland holiday may temper the full-week total. For corporate mobility managers, the surge is a live stress-test of Hong Kong’s post-Covid infrastructure and a reminder to book accommodation, meeting space and cross-border transport well in advance during peak mainland holidays. Companies relocating staff this quarter should factor longer processing times at land checkpoints and heavier demand for serviced apartments. Government analysts will study the data to gauge whether recent visa-free facilitation measures—such as the expanded Short-Term Visit scheme for invited professionals—are translating into higher-value trips. An official review of the city’s “Hello Hong Kong” campaign is expected later this month to decide if further sweeteners are needed to sustain momentum beyond the holiday period.
