Hong Kong has offered diverse programs to increase its appeal for the May Day holiday, and is expected to receive 980,000 tourists from the mainland in the five-day holiday from May 1 to 5.
The Immigration Department of the HKSAR government said that the inbound visits from the mainland to the city during the holiday mark a year-on-year increase of 7 percent.
Hotel occupancy rates also exceed 90 percent throughout the holiday, according to official data.
"I mainly came for an experience of the Hong Kong Disneyland. As this is the last day of the holiday today, I think visitors may get fewer. My utmost feeling is it's super convenient to get to Hong Kong after the West Kowloon Station was opened," said Mr. Li, a mainland visitor.
"I think Tsim Sha Tsui is worth a visit, and also the night scene of Victoria Harbor. I personally prefer strolling around there, feeling the wind blowing gently on my face. It's exactly the kind of vibe I always aspire," said another mainland visitor Ms. Li.
Beyond traditional attractions, many visitors are seeking deeper and more diverse experiences, such as hiking in country parks, seaside outings, and self-driving tours. From tech-enhanced attractions to in-depth exploration of local neighborhoods, Hong Kong is offering a wider choice of tourism destinations.
"I've also noticed that there are many more tourists this time. Apart from the regular sightseeing spots, quite a few are doing in-depth travel -- like visiting our country parks and many parts of Mong Kok. I also hope to have more exchanges with them," said Wen Chien-hao, a Hong Kong resident.
May Day holiday boosts Hong Kong tourism
