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Hong Kong Attracts 300,000 Additional Vacationers Throughout Pre-Christmas Rush
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Hong Kong noticed a big enhance in arrivals within the days main as much as Christmas Eve, with almost 300,000 extra guests in comparison with the identical interval final yr. This uptick was largely fueled by Hong Kong residents returning residence through the six land checkpoints linked with Shenzhen.
In accordance with the Immigration Division, over 994,000 folks entered the town on December 22 and 23, 2024, in comparison with about 697,000 in the course of the corresponding days in 2023. Of those, roughly 489,000 have been returning residents, almost half of the entire arrivals. This marked a big rise from 37% in 2023, when returning residents numbered about 259,000.
Regardless of the general progress in arrivals, the variety of mainland Chinese language vacationers decreased barely, falling from 240,000 in 2023 to 233,000 this yr.
Departures and Christmas Eve Celebrations
Throughout the identical two-day interval, roughly 1.09 million folks left Hong Kong, with Hong Kong residents making up 70% of the entire. This determine was barely decrease than the 1.11 million departures recorded final yr.
On Christmas Eve, crowds gathered at standard festive spots, together with Tsim Sha Tsui and Lan Kwai Fong, in addition to the West Kowloon Cultural District for the Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics show. The fireworks, which illuminated the evening sky in festive crimson and inexperienced, drew cheers from onlookers regardless of some discovering the occasion overcrowded.
Excessive Expectations and Festive Environment
The town’s Christmas points of interest, such because the embellished streets of Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai, drew each locals and guests. Day-trippers from Shenzhen expressed their enthusiasm for Hong Kong’s festive ambiance, with many highlighting the town’s iconic Christmas tree shows as a significant draw.
In the meantime, prolonged border service hours have been a subject of curiosity, particularly for these attending night occasions or making one-day journeys. The federal government is at the moment discussing the potential of longer working hours at key checkpoints for the New Yr’s Eve fireworks present, which might improve flexibility for guests.
Native Festivities and Vacationer Highlights
Locals additionally embraced the Christmas spirit, with households taking to the streets to benefit from the vacation decorations and highway closures. Procuring facilities like Harbour Metropolis in Tsim Sha Tsui have been bustling with exercise as each residents and vacationers admired the festive décor and captured images.
The revived multiple-entry visa scheme allowed for extra frequent visits from Shenzhen, though some guests indicated that present preparations have been already enough.
Trying Forward
Hong Kong’s vibrant Christmas celebrations spotlight its enduring enchantment as a festive vacation spot. With discussions underway to enhance border operations for future occasions, the town continues to place itself as a hub for distinctive vacation experiences that cater to each residents and vacationers alike.
