Hong Kong Prepares for Surge in Tourists During Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland

Commissioner for Tourism visits tourist attractions during Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland

The five-day 2026 Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland began yesterday (May 1). The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung, visited several major tourist attractions, includingthe Peak Tram and the Old Town Central today (May 2) to monitor crowd control management and visitor activities. She also visited the Water Taxi, sightseeing bus stops, the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Kowloon Visitor Centre, to review the operation and visitor services facilities.

She also observed the Travel Industry Authority's (TIA) work in assisting with the staggering of Mainland tour groups at various tourist attractions, so as to maintain good order and avoid overcrowding. TIA staff also distributed leaflets to residents and visitors, urging them not to patronise unlicensed services.

The Government estimated that during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, around 980 000 Mainland visitors will visit Hong Kong, including over 800 Mainland inbound tour groups.

Currently, the operation of various tourist attractions and ancillary services for receiving tourists was generally smooth. During peak hours of crowd flow, manpower and resources have been suitably deployed by various tourist attractions to strengthen services and facilitate crowd management. To assist residents and visitors in planning their itineraries, the HKTB has launched a dedicated webpage (www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/travel-guide/may-goldenweek-special-info.html) which consolidates useful information, and provides real-time update on the waiting time at major attractions (including the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, the Ocean Park Hong Kong, the Peak Tram, Ngong Ping 360, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and the Star Ferry).

During the Golden Week, the TIA will continue to step up inspections and conduct joint operations with enforcement departments including the Immigration Department in tourist attractions such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, the Avenue of Stars and Wong Tai Sin to combat illegal tourist guide and tour escort. Besides, the Government adopts a zero-tolerance stance towards coerced shopping and will take stringent action against any violations. Travel agents and tourist guides are obliged to ensure the safety and interests of visitors joining inbound tour groups, including protecting them from malpractices such as coerced shopping. The Government urges visitors to call the TIA's hotline (3698 5900) to report incidents or contact the Police for assistance if they encounter improper treatment.

For the remaining days of the Golden Week holiday, different units will continue to closely communicate and co-ordinate to offer visitors a high-quality experience.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (second right), today (May 2) visited the Hong Kong Tourism Board Kowloon Visitor Centre to learn about the operation of visitor services facilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (second right), today (May 2) visited the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier to learn about the operation of related transport and visitor services facilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (third right), today (May 2) visited the sightseeing bus to learn about the operation of related transport and visitor services facilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (left), today (May 2) visited the sightseeing bus to learn about the operation of related transport and visitor services facilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (left), today (May 2) visited the Water Taxi to learn about the operation of related transport and visitor services facilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (left), today (May 2) visited the Old Town Central to observe crowd management and visitor activities of the tourist attraction during the 2026 Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (right), today (May 2) visited the Old Town Central to observe crowd management and visitor activities of the tourist attraction during the 2026 Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung (centre), today (May 2) visited the Peak Tram to observe crowd management and visitor activities of the tourist attraction during the 2026 Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

The Labour Department (LD), Photo source: reference image

A spokesman for the LD said today (May 3) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Photo by Bastille Post