≡-Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia Drive Explosive Non-Mainland Growth as Hong Kong Surpasses Twenty Million Visitors in First Five Months of 2025 – Viral of Today

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Home » Hong Kong News » Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia Drive Explosive Non-Mainland Growth as Hong Kong Surpasses Twenty Million Visitors in First Five Months of 2025 Thursday, June 19, 2025Hong Kong’s tourism industry has roared back to life in 2025, recording over 20 million visitor arrivals between January and May—a robust 12% increase year on year. This explosive growth has been driven in large part by a surge in non-Mainland travelers, with standout contributions from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. Bolstered by strategic events, holiday travel during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week, and a packed calendar of international concerts and MICE activities, the city has once again solidified its position as a powerhouse destination in the Asia-Pacific region.Hong Kong welcomed a remarkable resurgence in tourism during the first five months of 2025, with provisional data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) revealing over 20 million visitor arrivals. This 12% year-on-year increase reflects the city’s growing appeal as a dynamic hub for leisure and business travel. The surge was especially prominent in May 2025, when visitor numbers reached approximately 4.08 million, marking a significant 20% growth compared to the same period last year.A combination of favorable timing—such as the Labour Day Golden Week in Mainland China—and an energetic calendar of large-scale events, including concerts and meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE), played a pivotal role in driving tourism figures.Strong Momentum in May Bolsters Overall TourismMay 2025 proved to be a standout month for Hong Kong’s tourism industry. A total of 4,078,938 visitors arrived during the month, a notable rise from May 2024. This growth was fueled primarily by Mainland Chinese tourists, who accounted for over 3.12 million arrivals—up 19% year-on-year. However, the most dynamic growth came from non-Mainland markets, which saw a 24% year-on-year increase, totaling 955,345 visitors in May alone.This uptick in travel reflects renewed confidence in international mobility and a growing interest in Hong Kong as a premier destination for both entertainment and professional engagements.Cumulative Gains from January to MayFrom January to May 2025, Hong Kong recorded 20,155,121 visitors in total, an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year. Visitors from the Mainland remained dominant, accounting for 15,182,478 of the total. This represented a 10% year-on-year rise, underlining the enduring strength of Mainland travel demand.Meanwhile, non-Mainland visitors also contributed significantly to overall tourism gains. With 4,972,643 visitors, these markets experienced an 18% increase compared to 2024. Short-haul travelers—those from nearby destinations such as Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines—led the non-Mainland recovery, showing a robust 21% growth over the five-month period.Long-haul arrivals, including visitors from Australia, the Americas, and Europe, reached 1,424,931, reflecting an 18% rise. The growth from Australia was particularly impressive, with the market recording a jump of more than 35% year-on-year.New and emerging markets also showed healthy expansion, with 308,179 travelers arriving from these regions—up 17% from the same time last year.Breakdown of Visitor Arrivals by SegmentProvisional Figures for May 2025:Mainland China: 3,123,593 visitors (+19%)Non-Mainland: 955,345 visitors (+24%)Short-haul Markets: 536,574 visitors (+28%)Long-haul Markets: 248,024 visitors (+20%)New Markets: 74,746 visitors (+21%)Cumulative Figures from January to May 2025:Mainland China: 15,182,478 visitors (+10%)Non-Mainland: 4,972,643 visitors (+18%)Short-haul Markets: 2,775,678 visitors (+21%)Long-haul Markets: 1,424,931 visitors (+18%)New Markets: 308,179 visitors (+17%)Total: 20,155,121 visitors (+12%)Driving Forces Behind the Tourism ReboundThe resurgence of Hong Kong’s tourism industry can be attributed to several key factors:Golden Week Holidays in Mainland China: The Labour Day Golden Week proved to be a powerful draw for travelers from the Mainland, many of whom took advantage of the public holidays to explore Hong Kong.MICE and Cultural Events: A strong lineup of citywide events—including large-scale concerts and professional conventions—acted as a magnet for both regional and international visitors. Hong Kong’s MICE sector has been instrumental in attracting high-value business travelers and stimulating economic activity across hospitality and service sectors.Targeted Market Promotion: Strategic marketing initiatives by the HKTB in various regions have successfully spotlighted Hong Kong’s unique attractions, from its vibrant cityscape and shopping districts to cultural landmarks and culinary offerings.Improved Accessibility: Enhanced connectivity through air and rail networks, coupled with relaxed travel restrictions and efficient border procedures, has further bolstered Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a global destination.A Promising Outlook for 2025With the first five months of 2025 already showing solid gains, the remainder of the year holds strong potential for continued growth. The city’s well-established tourism infrastructure, ongoing investment in world-class events, and increasing airline capacity position Hong Kong for further recovery and expansion.As the global travel industry rebounds, Hong Kong is poised to reclaim its status as one of Asia’s leading tourism powerhouses. The diversification of source markets, coupled with robust inbound interest from both regional and long-haul travelers, suggests that the city’s appeal is broader than ever before.The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s strategic efforts, combined with the city’s natural allure and dynamic offerings, are expected to keep visitor momentum strong through the rest of the year.

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