Hong Kong and Macau: A tale of two Spring Festival destinations

As the 2025 Spring Festival brought millions of travelers across the region, both Hong Kong and Macau saw significant tourism activity — though with distinct patterns and outcomes. Hong Kong welcomed approximately 1.4 million visitors during the holiday, with the busiest day on January 30, when around 190,000 mainland tourists arrived. The city’s major entry points, the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, handled the largest portion of arrivals. Meanwhile, Macau reported a total of 4.918 million inbound and outbound travelers over the same period, reflecting a slight 0.6% increase from last year. However, inbound travel alone saw a 3.5% decline, totaling 1.309 million visitors. One key difference lay in the role of tour groups. In Hong Kong, more than 2,200 mainland tour groups visited during the Chinese New Year Golden Week, with 83% opting for overnight stays. These groups accounted for about 79,000 travelers, representing 7% of all mainland visitors. In contrast, Macau’s visitor base was primarily composed of mainland Chinese travelers arriving through major land-based entry points, with the majority entering through Gongbei Port (38.4%) and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (24%). Despite their geographical proximity, the two cities cater to distinct traveler preferences. Hong Kong saw a steady influx of tourists arriving via rail and structured tour programs, while Macau’s tourism relied more on individual travelers entering through land-based crossings. Though both cities benefited from strong demand during the holiday, Macau’s slight dip in inbound visitors highlights the evolving nature of regional tourism. As the Greater Bay Area continues to integrate, Hong Kong and Macau will likely adapt their tourism strategies to attract and retain visitors in an increasingly competitive landscape. Macau and Hong Kong, two of China’s special administrative regions, have yet to fully recover since the pandemic. Hong Kong’s retail sector struggled through 2024, with sales declining for ten consecutive months, reaching HK$32.8 billion (US$4.21 billion) in December. This marked an 11.5% year-on-year drop in volume, worsening from an 8.4% decline in November. Despite a 30.9% rise in total visitor arrivals for the year — reaching 44.5 million, tourist spending failed to keep pace. A shift in consumer behavior, with fewer mainland Chinese opting for overnight stays, contributed to the downturn. Luxury goods saw the greatest decline, with sales of jewelry, watches, and high-end gifts plunging 13.8% in December, alongside a 10.2% drop in clothing and footwear sales. However, the city’s government is banking on tourism promotions and Beijing’s economic stimulus to revive spending. December’s relaxed visa policies for Shenzhen residents contributed to a modest increase in arrivals, yet spending remained subdued. Macau, meanwhile, faces similar struggles. The Statistics and Census Service reported a 13.3% year-on-year decline in retail revenue in October, with dining establishments experiencing a 1.8% drop. While Macau’s economy heavily relies on gaming, its retail and hospitality sectors continue to underperform. Both cities are grappling with shifting consumer patterns, signaling that post-pandemic recovery remains uneven despite strong visitor growth.

Hong Kong and Macau: A tale of two Spring Festival destinations

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Published February 08, 2025

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Hong Kong and Macau: A tale of two Spring Festival destinations