Overview
|
|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 (estimated) |
|
Arrivals from Hong Kong |
184,668 |
205,117 |
209,219 |
215,496 |
|
Travel Receipts (USD million) |
295 |
359 |
364 |
410 |
|
Fare Receipts (USD million) |
256 |
284 |
299 |
323 |
Source: Hong Kong Immigration Department. These statistics are unofficial estimates
Hong Kong has a significant outbound tourist market. There are five major reasons behind this phenomenon: 1). Hong Kong is a crowded city with a population of 6.9 million and people who live in Hong Kong often choose to spend their holidays overseas because of a lack of local recreational options; 2). Hong Kong citizens have relatively high average incomes; 3). Hong Kong’s geographical location allows for easy access for people to travel abroad; 4). Most Hong Kong citizens hold the Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport which does not require visas to access over 140 countries; and 5). Most important, the Hong Kong government controls neither its people nor foreign exchange from leaving the territory. Due to these factors, Hong Kong residents are traveling abroad in record numbers for business and pleasure. In addition, Hong Kong citizens have become more affluent over the past two decades. Although the economy has experienced some problems since 1998, in 2003 the economy rebounded, leading to a strong 2006 per capita GDP of USD 27,565 (the second highest income city in Asia). Traveling abroad is no longer considered a luxury activity, but a habit perhaps taken for granted by the young generation.
Best Products/Services
- FIT (for individual travel)
- Prepaid package tours for family vacations
- VRF (visiting relatives & friends)
- MICE (meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition)
- Cruises
Opportunities
Hong Kong citizens usually spend public holidays such as Chinese New Year, Easter, and Christmas overseas because the average worker only has around 10-14 days of annual leave. The traveling season usually centers around these festive holidays and summer holidays. The summer months of June, July, and August on average account for 30 percent of Hong Kong outbound travelers to the U.S.
Hong Kong citizens prefer to join package tours, particularly for first-time traveling and trips to new destinations. Travelers visiting a region for the first time want to see as many places as possible and cover multiple-destinations in one trip. Package tours offer precisely that: a packed itinerary covering several destinations. Some specialty tours for diving, golf, wine appreciation, horse riding and skiing have been quite successful. Furthermore, cruises have become popular. Cruise suppliers from Florida, California, Alaska or Hawaii should consider this new business opportunity and introduce cruise products in Hong Kong.
Shopping is a theme for many outbound Hong Kong tourists. U.S. destinations may wish to incorporate shopping into their product offerings.
Resources
Trade Shows:
ITE 2008 – The 22nd International Travel Expo Hong
Kong
Date: 12 – 13 June 2008 (Trade Days); 14 – 15 June 2008
(Public Days)
Venue: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center
(HKCEC)
Organizer: TKS Exhibition Services Ltd.
Room 601, Stanhope House
734 King’s Road
Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3155-0600
Fax: (852) 3520-1500
Website: www.itehk.com
Guangzhou International Travel Fair
Date: 4 – 6 April, 2008
Venue: Guangzhou Tinhan Exhibition Center
Organizer: Hannover Fairs China Ltd.
Guangzhou Office
Contact: Ms. Iris Han
Tel: 8620-8628-6696
Fax: 8620-8626-6690
Email: gitf@hfchina.com
Website: www.gitf.com.cn
China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2008
Date: November 20 – 21, 2008 (Trade Days); November 22 – 23,
2008 (Public Days)
Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Center
Organizers: China National Tourism Administration
Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
Website: www.citm.com.cn
Hong Kong Immigration Department
www.immd.gov.hk
Visit USA Committee Hong Kong
Mr. Gilbert Chow, Chairman
(General Manager of Northwest Airlines, Inc.)
Unit 1908, 19/Fl., Cosco Tower
183 Queen’s Road Central
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Email: gilbert.chow@nwa.com
Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong
Mr. Ronnie Ho, Chairman
(Managing Director of Jetour Holiday Ltd.)
Suite 1420, 14/Fl., Ocean Ctr.
Harbor City, T.S.T.,
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Website: http://www.tichk.org/public/website/en/index.html
Email: ronnieho@jetour-holiday.com
Hong Kong Commercial Specialist’s Contact:
Rose Mak
Tel: (852) 2521-7173; Fax: (852) 2845-9800
Email: rose.mak@mail.doc.gov