Golden Week Review: About 1.6 Million Visitor Arrivals, Mainland Visitors Top 1.41 Million in a New Record, Hotels at 90% Occupancy
HONG KONG — The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, released its review of the Mainland's National Day Golden Week (October 1–7) on October 8: Hong Kong welcomed around 1.6 million visitor arrivals over the seven days, with Mainland visitors accounting for more than 1.41 million — surpassing last year's record.
Mainland arrivals averaged around 202,000 a day, peaking on October 1 at approximately 277,000. The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point recorded the highest volume of Mainland visitors, followed by the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point. About 1,140 Mainland inbound tour groups brought over 41,000 visitors during the week, with around 60% opting for overnight itineraries, and the overall hotel occupancy rate reached about 90%.
Event attendance was strong. The National Day fireworks display over Victoria Harbour on October 1 attracted over 378,000 spectators, and the National Day Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse drew nearly 30,000, including about 9,300 tourists. The 2026 Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival and International Lantern Spectacular at Victoria Park was extended twice in response to demand and drew a total of around 730,000 visitors. Mr Chan noted that the Government and community sectors launched a rich array of offers and activities spanning public transport, culture and arts, leisure, dining and consumption to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
On spending, Mr Chan cited industry feedback that retail sales across categories grew by single digits to double digits year on year, while catering businesses in tourist areas reported business up by about 10%. He said the Government will continue to work with the industry to promote diversified tourism products and create all-round, in-depth experiences for visitors, injecting momentum into the local economy.
Golden Week is the annual stress test of Hong Kong's visitor capacity and appeal. A record Mainland arrival count, hotel occupancy around 90% and heavy crowds at the fireworks and lantern carnival confirm that mega events remain the main engine of visitor spending; raising the overnight share and per-visitor spending is the trade's next focus.
Source: Hong Kong Government news service, October 8, 2026 (interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements).
Source: 香港政府新闻处公布
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 尖沙咀海滨长廊与维多利亚港，Wing1990hk 摄，CC BY 3.0（Wikimedia Commons）
