Hong Kong hotels, tourist-area eateries report brisk trade over Lunar New Year holiday
South China Morning Post
by Wynna WongFebruary 19, 2026
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Hong Kong’s hotels and tourist-area restaurants have reported strong business during the Lunar New Year holiday, despite an increase in outbound travel by local residents. While visitor-driven demand has boosted the hospitality sector, the city’s growing reliance on tourism highlights a shift in its economy. Local businesses are benefiting from rising numbers of mainland Chinese tourists, partly due to strained relations between China and Japan, which have redirected travel flows toward Hong Kong.
The Lunar New Year period typically sees heightened activity in Hong Kong’s tourism and retail sectors. However, this year has been particularly notable for the surge in visitors from Mainland China. Industry leaders attribute this trend to both increased leisure travel and geopolitical factors, such as reduced travel options due to tensions with Japan. This shift underscores Hong Kong’s position as a key destination for Chinese tourists seeking alternative holiday destinations.
Meanwhile, local residents have also shown a marked preference for outbound travel during the festival season. Data from the Immigration Department reveals that thousands of Hong Kongers departed the city between February 13 and 20, reflecting broader trends of increased global mobility among the population. This dual phenomenon—booming tourism for visitors and rising outbound travel by locals— highlights the evolving dynamics of Hong Kong’s economy.
The Lunar New Year holiday serves as a microcosm of Hong Kong’s growing dependence on visitor spending. While this trend has brought significant economic benefits, it also raises questions about the city’s long-term resilience. As global travel patterns continue to shift, Hong Kong’s ability to adapt and maintain its appeal as a tourist destination will be crucial for sustaining its festival-driven economy.
This situation matters not only to those interested in Hong Kong’s economic health but also to broader observers of Asia’s tourism industry. The interplay between geopolitical tensions and consumer behavior is reshaping travel patterns across the region,
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/19/2026