Tour groups from Hong Kong to mainland China are expected to rise by up to 40 per cent year on year over the Labour Day weekend, with travel agents citing improved safety and hygiene as key factors attracting visitors.
The agents also said that slight increases in fuel surcharges for flights to Asian destinations were not the main driver of shifting outbound travel patterns among Hong Kong residents; instead, they pointed to the novelty and wide range of mainland options.
Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, said travel over the Labour Day weekend from Friday to Sunday would be dominated by short trips within the Greater Bay Area, including Foshan, Dongguan and Zhongshan.
He said tour groups to the mainland rose by 30 to 40 per cent year on year, but added that interest in taking longer leave for trips to Southeast Asia remained weak, which he attributed to the Easter holidays last month, when many had already travelled.
“Airfares have risen slightly since the war [in the Middle East] broke out, but they are not too expensive. Mainland destinations feel new compared with places Hongkongers typically visit, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and have attracted more interest,” he said.
His agency offers trips of at least three days to mainland destinations farther from Hong Kong, reflecting a growing trend among travellers, as many can easily make shorter visits to nearby cities such as Shenzhen.
“There have been significant improvements in hygiene and safety [on the mainland], meeting customers’ needs. Improved accessibility and transport links, as well as the availability of value-for-money hotels, have also helped.”
Alex Lee Chun-ting, general manager of Miramar Travel, said Labour Day was traditionally not a major holiday for Hongkongers, but the growing popularity of mainland travel led to a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in the company’s cross-border tour groups.
Tour groups offered by Lee’s company typically last four to five days, as travellers tend to make their own arrangements for shorter trips. Chaozhou, Guangzhou and Xiamen are among the most sought-after destinations, accessible via high-speed rail.
“Service has improved tremendously, and facilities at tourist attractions are well designed,” Lee said. “Hygiene is another strength. Many of the lavatories there are better than those in Hong Kong.”
For other Asian destinations, he said travellers would not be deterred by a slight increase in fuel surcharges, but added that the affordability of high-speed rail made it particularly attractive, especially for families.
One example is a three-day tour to Chaozhou and Shantou, northeast of Hong Kong, departing from the West Kowloon terminus and taking less than three hours by high-speed rail.
The recommended itinerary costs HK$1,379 (US$176) and includes visits to centuries-old city walls, a museum on the history of overseas Chinese from the area, a river light show, and tastings of local delicacies such as beef hotpot.
Those looking to explore other parts of the mainland can opt for a trip to Heyuan and Huizhou, offered by Hong Kong travel agent Yummy Holiday, with high-speed rail journeys of just over an hour and prices starting from HK$1,199.
Highlights include an ancient shopping street dating back to the Qing dynasty, a cliffside reef bar where visitors can enjoy drinks with views of crashing waves, and a historic temple dedicated to sea-protecting deities, according to local folklore.
For a longer option, travellers can consider a five-day trip to Wuhan by high-speed rail, with journey times ranging from four to six hours from Hong Kong. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
