Hong Kong hospitality steps up

Hong Kong's tourist industry has been a stark narrative of ups and downs. Yet, as 2024 unfolds, are the city and its luxury hotels basking in a revival? The numbers speak volumes: Hong Kong attracted over 25 million tourists in the first seven months of 2024, a 52% YoY surge in visitor numbers. This swell in foot traffic isn’t just quantity; it’s quality. An engaging 3.2-night average stay suggests a deeper, more immersive embrace of the city’s offerings. Drilling down into the demographics reveals a narrative of broadening horizons: 19.3 million of these visitors were mainland Chinese, a robust year-over-year increase of 47.3%. Meanwhile, the number of non-mainland visitors leapt by 71.1% to about 5.8 million, with notable influxes from the likes of India, Russia, and Vietnam. This year, other first indicators may shimmer with promise as luxury hotels in Hong Kong are charting an uptick in average daily rates, a hint to the city’s revived allure among the well-heeled. Is the city rediscovering its groove, through refreshed narratives and revamped spaces? Cultural renaissance and local market innovation At one of Hong Kong’s hospitality landmarks, the Mandarin Oriental, a series of refurbishments and revamps have taken place, giving new excitement to its well known venues. One of the goals is to draw in buzzy, well-heeled locals as well as visitors to events and venues – reinvigoration of Hong Kong’s culture and nightlife at famous hotels is hinged on an enthusiastic resident population. The famous Clipper Lounge, unveiled a revamp on August 22, now presenting a meld of historical elegance and contemporary flair. J Candice Interior Architects have drawn on 1970s fishing fleets and vibrant seafood markets for design cues, infusing the space with local cultural motifs. Additionally, The Chinnery restaurant has reopened with an updated interior that promises a tranquil oasis in the bustling metropolis. When dusk descends, The Aubrey (a Japanese izakaya) at the Mandarin Oriental transforms into “The Aubrey After Dark,” a vibrant homage to the city's nightlife renaissance. The series pays tribute to the glamour of yesteryears, echoing the days when icons like Eartha Kitt lit up the Harbour Room, now reconnecting locals and visitors with its glamorous past, orchestrated by pivotal figures in Hong Kong’s club scene. As the economic pulse quickens, this hospitality revival coincides with a broader push by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to recast the city as a premier cultural and event destination. The past few years have allowed the city’s luxury hotels to revamp andd revitalize to serve new interests. “We've experienced an increase in tourists visiting the city for its citywide cultural campaigns,” says Eva Kwok, Director of Marketing Communications at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong hotel. The Grand Hyatt, strategically adjoining the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre, has broadened its appeal, transitioning from a business-centric venue to a magnet for leisure tourists and local staycationers. She recalls the 2023 installation of giant inflatable yellow rubber ducks, which captured the imagination of travelers. Kwok says that the hotel’s guests crave deeper cultural dives, exploring local neighborhoods like Wan Chai (where the hotel is located), indulging in authentic culinary experiences, and engaging in curated cultural activities. This shift towards cultural tourism appears to be paying dividends. The Hong Kong tourism board’s survey reported that 16.1 million mainland visitors expressed intentions to revisit, buoyed by a recommendation rate of 94 percent. For this large mainland Chinese contingent, the Grand Hyatt promotes local experiences through popular platforms like WeChat and Xiaohongshu, and has enhanced the guest experience with thoughtful touches like Chinese teas and local TV stations in rooms, creating a feeling of a “home away from home”, Kwok adds. “Apart from our many [inhouse] facilities … Grand Hyatt Hong Kong offers unique attractions and experiences in [our local area of] Wan Chai,” Kwok says; guests can explore the rich cultural old town of Wan Chai or modern art installations and activities along the renovated Victoria Harbour front. Throughout the pandemic, local luxury staycations gained traction as Hong Kong enforced stringent travel and health protocols. And many luxury hotels initially, saw locals booking full-board packages for escapism, relaxation and a change of scenery. Wellness and more Today, with the return of travel, the concept of an urban oasis staycation resonates also with many international visitors. Popular spots like the Grand Hyatt’s Plateau Spa and outdoor swimming pool and the Mandarin Oriental Spa's Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired treatments, have hit a sweet spot for visitors wanting wellness with Chinese characteristics. Celebrity favorite the Upper House continues to shine. Discrete exceptional service and slick contemporary design has made the hotel a hub for wealthy locals and expats to dine, wine and party. But the introduction of an innovative health and wellness program, ranging from classes to red light therapy beds, has appealed to high-flying health-HK conscious tourists and locals alike. “My ultimate favorite fitness class is Family Form at Upper House, which I have been doing since it launched,” says Elisa Harca, the Hong Kong-based CEO of China marketing agency Red Ant Asia. “It’s fast-paced, fun and fabulous – held in a converted 40 degree heated hotel suite. It’s mat-based, dynamic, with great choreography and music. I always feel like I could be in the movie Fame!” In Harca’s view, Hong Kong is a “wellness wonderland,” offering a diversity of activities that extend well beyond the city’s urban core into its verdant nature – perfect for those seeking a panacea from the urban grind. “Whatever your interests or goals, there is something amazing for everyone, and it’s not just about the latest hype, it’s about offering variety to so many different types of people. The city being 70% nature – there is so much to do outside,” she adds. Amid these changes, Hong Kong’s luxury hotels are adeptly navigating the ebb and flow of guest preferences and dynamic pricing strategies. With a significant uptick in overnight stays led by mainland Chinese and an increasingly diverse international clientele, Hong Kong’s hotel industry is not just rebounding, it’s reinventing.

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Hong Kong hospitality steps up