Hong Kong urged to shift focus from tourist numbers to increasing spending

As mainland Chinese tourists return to Hong Kong in near pre-pandemic numbers, researchers warn that high-income visitors are spending less, urging a strategic shift from volume to value. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Hong Kong urged to shift focus from tourist numbers to increasing spending

Contesto

Hong Kong must recalibrate its tourism strategy by prioritizing visitor spending over sheer arrival numbers, researchers warned Tuesday, as new data reveals that while mainland Chinese tourists are returning in droves, their consumption habits have grown markedly more cautious. Preliminary findings from a joint study by Hong Kong Polytechnic University and consultancy Think China show that mainland visitor arrivals have rebounded to approximately 88 percent of 2018 pre-pandemic levels. Yet the same research highlights a troubling divergence: high-income travelers, traditionally the most lucrative demographic, are tightening their wallets, opting for more selective purchases and shorter stays. The study, released on Tuesday, underscores a paradox at the heart of Hong Kong’s post-pandemic recovery. The city’s tourism sector has long relied on a steady influx of mainland visitors, who accounted for the majority of arrivals before COVID-19. While the rebound in numbers signals a return of foot traffic, the shift in spending behavior among affluent tourists threatens to undercut the economic benefits of that recovery. Researchers noted that high-income travelers are increasingly choosing budget accommodations, dining at mid-range restaurants, and limiting luxury retail purchases—a trend that could reshape the city’s retail and hospitality landscape. Industry analysts point to several factors driving this change. A prolonged property downturn in mainland China, coupled with a slowing economy, has made even wealthy consumers more price-sensitive. Additionally, the rise of domestic travel options and competitive shopping destinations like Hainan and Macau has eroded Hong Kong’s once-unique appeal as a shopping haven. The study’s authors argue that simply attracting more visitors may no longer suffice; instead, policymakers should focus on enhancing the visitor experience, promoting cultural and culinary tourism, and creating incentives for longer stays and higher per-person expenditure. The implications are significant for Hong Kong’s economy, where tourism accounts for roughly 4.5 percent of GDP and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Retail sales, already under...

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Categoria: cronaca