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Mountain trek in Laos targets female hikers

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TTR WEEKLY
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LUANG PRABANG Laos, 6 February 2025: Khiri Travel (Laos) and Camino Women Australia are establishing a new community-based hill trekking route in remote northern Laos targeting female hikers.  

The inaugural four-day trek will commence on 16 February, with six women from Australia joining the trip. Organised by Camino Women (Australia) and Khiri Travel (Laos), the mountain hike is part of a 12-day northern Laos journey that includes a slow boat trip on the Mekong River, a train ride, visits to Buddhist caves and an elephant park, walks in paddy fields, meetings with various ethnic group villagers, and experiencing the UNESCO world heritage township of Luang Prabang.

However, the trip organisers believe the inclusion, support and training for villagers in three remote mountain hamlets on the new Soum-son (community) Trail are a positive example of responsible travel.

Preparing to receive the women hikers in mid-February, 26 women and men from the three remote villages embarked on three days of training in Luang Prabang in Laos last December. The villagers learned about community-based tourism, safety standards, housekeeping service, waste management, food preparation, and customer service. There were hands-on practical sessions. Four community tourism experts from the Lao government carried out the training.

Two-way learning process 

“Our approach is to treat tourism as a supplementary source of income for the villagers who are rice farmers,” said  Khiri Travel Laos country manager Julie Beaufrère. “We don’t want over-dependency on tourism. And the cultural learning process is also very much between villagers and the women hikers.”

After the inaugural trip in February, Camino Women and Khiri Travel aim to bring five hiking groups to the Soum-son Trail in 2025, followed by two per month in the next high season, November 2025 to February 2026.

Each trip will have the same local guide from the villages and Khiri Travel’s highly experienced Laotian community guide.

Camino Women and Khiri Travel’s charitable arm, Khiri Reach, paid for the training in December. After consulting with the villagers about what else they may need, Khiri Reach and Camino donated two laptop computers, school books and preserved food to the villages on the remote hiking trail.

Camino Women’s lead trip designer, Lisa O’Donnell, surveyed the trail with Beaufrère last year and is glad to see the preparation, training, and hard work paying off.

“We’re very positive about our partnership with the wonderful villagers and the proactive support from the Lao authorities and Khiri Travel. I believe our Camino women hikers will enjoy their immersion in Laotian village life for four days.”

Australian tour operator Leatherback Travel operates specialist travel units such as Camino Women, Patch Adventures, Magnificent Rail and Fencox Travel. Khiri Travel has handled various tours for these brands in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia since 2023.

“The Soum-son Trail and the full 10-day greater Laos experience is a terrific example of close cooperation between Leatherback Travel and Khiri,” said Khiri Travel founder Willem Niemeijer. “We aim to develop more responsible and regenerative travel experiences with Leatherback Travel across Southeast Asia in the months ahead.”

Fliggy tracks Spring Festival trends

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SINGAPORE, 6 February 2025: As China wrapped up its eight-day Spring Festival holiday, 28 January to 4  February, celebrating the start of the Year of the Snake, Fliggy, an online travel platform wholly owned by Alibaba Group, released its 2025 Spring Festival Travel Insights.

Photo credit: Fliggy International. Founded in 2016, Fliggy has emerged as China’s leading online travel platform.

China’s inbound travel

Cultural heritage tourism on the rise: With UNESCO’s inaugural recognition of the 2025 Spring Festival as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, interest in cultural tourism surged during the holiday season.

Search volume for experiences featuring intangible heritage, such as visits to heritage sites and culture immersion activities, increased by 40% compared to last year. 

Additionally, purchases for folk performances have increased 36% year over year, and over half of all reservations are made for trips with family and friends.

Family-oriented experiences: Families opted for outings that celebrate cultural heritage. Popular activities include lantern festivals, temple fairs, traditional attire (Hanfu), rice cake making, and fireworks. Notably, trips to lantern festivals and folk performances were among the top choices.

Extended travel due to favourable policies: Encouraged by generous leave policies (Two days off for an 11-day holiday), travellers opted for longer trips. As a result, per capita spending rose by nearly 10% compared to last year, and the average length of stay increased by 5%.

Popular destinations: Top travel spots include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Xi’an, Nanjing, and Wuhan. Cities like Jingdezhen, Zhaoqing, Ili, Altay, Kaifeng, Huangshan, Ulanqab, Meizhou, Ganzhou, and Zunyi.

Diverse travel format: The exemption of highway tolls for small passenger vehicles during the holiday has boosted self-driving trips, chartered tours, and customised tours. Rental car services and bespoke travel bookings both saw double-digit growth compared to last year, with popular self-driving destinations including Sanya, Haikou, Chengdu, Kunming, and Dali. Meanwhile, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang, Beijing, Harbin, and Pu’er are increasingly favoured for customised tours.

Outbound travel

Strong growth in international travel: This year, international cruises, car rentals, and one-day tours abroad have seen significant growth, with a remarkable 229% increase in cruise bookings compared to last year.
Top outbound destinations: Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR), East Asia, and Southeast Asia remained favourites. Other top 10 destinations include the United States, Australia, and France. Countries like Hungary, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Iceland, and Austria experienced rapid growth, with order volumes doubling compared to last year.

Booking.com releases Travel Review Awards 2025

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SINGAPORE, 6 February 2025: Booking.com announced Wednesday recipients of its 13th annual Traveller Review Awards, based on over 360 million customer reviews.

In 2025, a record-breaking 1.71 million partners are being recognised, an 16% increase compared to 2024. This includes 1,711,539 accommodations, 1,329 rental car companies and 124 taxi providers. 

Photo credit: Booking.com. Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore.

Awarded properties in Singapore

In Singapore, 190 accommodation partners are being recognised with a Traveller Review Award 2025. They received over 254,782 reviews and an average review score of 8.5.

Some of the Singapore properties receiving a Traveller Review Award 2025:
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (Score: 9.3)
Marina Bay Sands (Score: 9.2)
Ann Siang House, The Unlimited Collection managed by The Ascott Limited (Score: 9)
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, an IHG Hotel (Score: 9)
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (Score: 9)
Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Singapore (Score: 9)
The Clan Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality (Score: 9)
Mondrian Singapore Duxton (Score: 8.8)
Shangri-La Singapore (Score: 8.8)
Jyu Capsule Hotel (Score: 8.8)

Apartments and holiday homes 

Apartments continue leading as the most-awarded accommodation type for the eighth consecutive year (847,627 awards). Holiday homes  (259,105) maintain second place, outperforming hotels (190,670) in the third year. Notably, capsule hotels saw a 35% increase in awards year over year, the highest growth among accommodation types, followed by villas (25%) and cabins (21%). Overall, awards for vacation rentals and other unique properties increased by 17%, reflecting travellers’ continued enthusiasm for a variety of stays that offer distinctive hospitality and memorable experiences.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s most-awarded accommodation types differed from those of its global counterparts, with hotels (114) taking the top spot for the fourth time, followed by aparthotels (47), hostels (8), capsule hotels (7), and resorts (5).

In-trip transport providers 

Booking.com’s rental car and taxi offering is integral to providing travellers with a seamless and frictionless travel experience, supporting its mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. This year, 1,329 car rental partners from 100 countries are receiving a Traveller Review Award, a 196% increase compared to the 2024 awards. The US takes the top spot for the first time, with most car rental companies being recognised (181), followed by Spain (113), the UK (106), Germany (92), and France (88). In addition, a total of 124 taxi suppliers around the world are being recognised for their seamless pick-ups. This year, Singapore clinched two awards, one going to a car rental partner and the other to a taxi provider.

Booking.com Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Laura Houldsworth commented: “Our annual Traveller Review Awards are one way we shine a spotlight on these hospitality heroes and say thank you to them not only from all of us at Booking.com, but on behalf of hundreds of millions of travellers from all over the world.”

Most Welcoming Places on Earth

Determined by the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award in a certain city, this year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth list highlights various destinations. Whether it’s coffee farms and pristine beaches or medieval hideaways and jungle towns, these destinations showcase the world’s diverse charm and hospitality, inspiring unforgettable adventures in the year ahead.

2025: Most Welcoming Cities on Earth

  • Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
  • Cazorla, Spain
  • Urubici, Brazil 
  • Taupo, New Zealand 
  • St. Augustine, United States 
  • Orvieto, Italy 
  • Manizales, Colombia 
  • Quedlinburg, Germany 
  • Ko Lanta, Thailand 
  • Chester, United Kingdom 

2025: Most Welcoming Regions on Earth

  • Osijek-Baranja, Croatia 
  • Kakheti, Georgia 
  • Madeira, Portugal 
  • Misiones, Argentina 
  • Graubünden, Switzerland 
  • South Australia, Australia 
  • Bretagne, France 
  • Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • Kien Giang, Vietnam 
  • Drenthe, Netherlands 

MTF calls for vehicle sales tax exemption

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 6 February 2025: The Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) is appealing to the government to reinstate the sales tax exemption for tourism vehicles to support the tourism industry’s recovery and preparations for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026, which is expected to attract 35 million tourists.

The exemption, previously in place until 31 December 2022 and later extended to 31 December 2024, was introduced to ease the financial burdens on tourism operators during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as the industry was still in a recovery phase at the time, many operators could not fully utilise the exemption. With its expiration, operators face increased costs just as a fleet replacement becomes critical.

Tour operators caught off guard

Malaysia’s ageing tourism vehicle fleet needs to be replaced with modern, high-tech buses equipped with the latest safety features is necessary to maintain service quality and ensure a comfortable travel experience, the federation points out.

However, many tour operators are caught flat-footed by the expiration of the sales tax exemption, making it difficult for them to commit to fleet upgrades.

MTF President Datuk Tan Kok Liang stated: “The tourism industry has only recently recovered from the pandemic, and cash flow remains a key concern. Reinstating the sales tax exemption will provide much-needed cost relief, allowing operators to invest in new vehicles and improve transportation services ahead of VMY 2026 and enhancing Malaysia’s appeal as a travel destination”.

Depending on the model, a 10% sales tax on a single excursion bus amounts to between MYR70,000 and MYR100,000. This added cost discourages investment in fleet renewal, just as demand is set to rise.

Call for a six-month extension to July 2025 

“Given that the delivery of a new excursion bus takes six to nine months, an additional six-month extension of sales tax exemption would encourage operators to place orders while alleviating financial burdens. Extending the exemption will provide certainty and much-needed support for industry players looking to modernise their fleets in preparation for VMY 2026.

“If this reinstatement is approved, tour operators and stakeholders would certainly be encouraged to take advantage of this incentive and to commit to new vehicle purchases, ensuring that Malaysia’s tourism transport infrastructure is ready to meet the anticipated surge in visitors,” Tan concluded.

UFO Traveler licence suspended

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 6 February 2025: The Singapore Tourism Board has suspended UFO Traveler Pte Ltd’s travel agent licence (03214) effective 28 January 2025 under the Travel Agents Act 1975.

In a statement posted on the STB website, it said the suspension was the result of the company’s failure to submit its audited statement of accounts under the Travel Agents Regulations 2017.

UFO Traveller’s office reception: Business on hold.

 A licensee must submit its audited account statement within six months after the close of its financial year. STB’s statement said the suspension would remain in effect until the AA is submitted or for six months to elapse, whichever comes first. 

During the suspension period, UFO Traveler Pte Ltd will be required to fulfil its existing customer obligations but will not be allowed to accept new travel bookings.

Founded in 2014, UFO Traveler Pte won the Best Inbound Tour Operator Singapore award from APAC Insider in 2022. Headquartered at 410 North Bridge Rd, Singapore, Its website is limited to just a few basic pages, including its contact page with a photo of its tidy office reception and the promise to offer “Unique, Fun and Original” travel experiences. Its Facebook page has not been updated since May 2024.

Registration details identify its scope of business activities as travel, inbound, hotel, cruise, transportation, MICE, air tickets, events, team building, education exchange, student tours, business training, corporate, attraction tickets, guided tours and Singapore inbound travel services.

STB noted that it “takes a serious view against errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry.”

For the most up-to-date list of licensed travel agents in Singapore, visit the Travel Related Users’ System (“TRUST”) website: https://trust.stb.gov.sg. 

Dusit Princess expands Philippines portfolio

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BANGKOK, 5 February 2025: Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, represented in the Philippines by Dusit Thani Philippines Inc, has signed hotel management agreements with IDC Prime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Italpinas Development Corp, to manage two new hotels in Northern Mindanao under Dusit’s upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand.

Slated to open in late 2029, Dusit Princess Moena will be a standout feature of Moena Mountain Estate, a sustainability-focused mixed-use development located in the lush, forested mountains of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, on the outskirts of the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park.

Thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, the 184-key hotel will cater to both business and leisure travellers. It offers a wide range of premium facilities, including a lobby lounge, business centre, all-day dining restaurant, outdoor pool, fully equipped gym, yoga room, and versatile multipurpose area.

Known as the ‘Baguio of Mindanao,’ Dahilayan is already a popular destination for nature enthusiasts thanks to its stunning mountain scenery, striking landscapes, cool climate, and various outdoor adventures. With its contemporary accommodation and extensive services, Dusit Princess Moena will further enhance the area’s appeal, complementing existing attractions such as Dahilayan Adventure Park and the expansive Del Monte Pineapple plantations.

(From left): Giuseppe Garofalo, Chief Operating Officer, IDC; Romolo V Nati, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, IDC; Jose D Leviste III, President, IDC; Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, DI; Evelyn Singson, Vice Chairman and President, Dusit Thani Philippines; Prateek Kumar, Senior Vice President – Operations, DI.

Further north, and also slated to open in late 2029, Dusit Princess Firenze will be a key highlight of IDC’s Firenze Green Tower project in the Limketkai area of Cagayan de Oro, near the city’s commercial and business districts. 

Leveraging the city’s reputation as the “Adventure Capital of the Philippines” and its fast-growing business and leisure markets, this 14-storey mixed-use green development will seamlessly combine commercial, residential, and hotel spaces. Dusit will manage 180 rooms on the tower’s upper floors, providing guests with exceptional views and Dusit’s signature high standards of service.

The project will also feature an array of premium facilities, including a gym, spa, multipurpose areas, commercial spaces, and a swimming pool. 

“We are delighted and honoured to collaborate with IDC Prime to further expand our presence in the Philippines through these remarkable projects,” said Dusit International Chief Operating Officer Gilles Cretallaz. “The Philippines’ dynamic economic growth and thriving tourism sector offer unparalleled opportunities for innovation and advancement. With IDC Prime’s shared commitment to sustainability and positive impact, we are excited to bring our distinctive Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to these vibrant Mindanao destinations, delivering meaningful and memorable guest experiences while creating lasting value for the broader community.”

The Firenze Green Tower and Moena Mountain Estate projects are preexisting real estate joint ventures between IDC, the property developer, and the Go family, the original site owners. Adding hotel components to these developments will elevate their appeal, positioning Dusit Princess Moena and Dusit Princess Firenze as destinations in their own right.

“IDC was founded on our belief in the Philippines’ growth story, particularly in areas such as these, which are full of potential for transformative development”, said IDC Prime Chairman and CEO Arch Romolo Nati.

“Our projects are recognised for their sustainability and architectural innovation, consistently delivering a ‘level-up’ in elegance and quality. Partnering with Dusit to bring world-class hotels to Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon is a natural extension of this vision, and we look forward to welcoming these exceptional properties to our portfolio.”

About Dusit Hotels and Resorts
Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies. The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts, and luxury villas includes more than 302 properties operating under eight brands in 19 countries worldwide. For more information, visit dusit.com

About Dusit International
Dusit International, or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT), is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and hospitality-Related Services. Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: Balance, expansion and diversification. For more information, visit dusit-international.com

Centara Villas Phi Phi names GM

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BANGKOK, 5 February 2025: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has appointed Prapaijit Thongma as the General Manager of Centara Villas Phi Phi Island. 

A distinguished hospitality professional, Prapaijit brings extensive leadership experience and deep expertise in beach resort management to this exciting new property, set to open in Q1 2025.

Prapaijit Thongma, General Manager of Centara Villas Phi Phi Island

Having joined Centara Hotels & Resorts in 2001, Prapaijit’s journey began as Front Office Manager at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, where she quickly rose to Director of Rooms. She further honed her skills in various leadership positions, including Executive Assistant Manager at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi and Resident Manager at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection. Her expertise proved invaluable during the successful openings of both Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, where she was appointed Hotel Manager in 2013 and promoted to General Manager in 2014.

From there, she advanced to Area General Manager, overseeing both Maldives properties — Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives — comprising 252 rooms. Under her leadership, both resorts consistently improved operational performance and maintained exceptional guest satisfaction levels. Her outstanding achievements were recognised when she received the Centara General Manager of the Year Award in 2015.

“We are thrilled that Prapaijit will continue her journey with us as the leader of Centara Villas Phi Phi Island,” said Michael Henssler, Chief Operating Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “Having been part of the Centara family for a long time, her deep understanding of our values and exceptional expertise in managing luxury beach properties make her the perfect choice to lead this stunning island retreat.”

“I am incredibly proud of my journey with Centara and honoured to take on this new role,” said Prapaijit Thongma, General Manager of Centara Villas Phi Phi Island. “Centara Villas Phi Phi Island is a special destination, and I am excited to bring my years of experience and passion for delivering exceptional service and unforgettable moments to every guest in this breathtaking setting.”

Set in the Andaman Sea, Centara Villas Phi Phi Island artfully blends serenity with the island’s lush landscapes. Guests can unwind by the outdoor pool, refresh at the rejuvenating SPA Cenvaree, or dive into the crystal-clear waters directly from the resort deck. This idyllic retreat offers a tranquil hideaway perfect for families, couples, and groups, with an array of onsite activities and dining venues and a scenic two-hour ferry ride from Phuket.

For more information about Centara Villas Phi Phi Island, please visit: www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara/cpi

Crystal flags 2026 Grand Journeys

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SINGAPORE, 5 February 2024: Crystal, owned by A&K Travel Group Ltd, has released details of three 2026 Grand Journeys on its cruise ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

The three extended voyages will depart from Los Angeles, Mombasa and Lisbon.

Photo credit: Crystal.

89 nights: Los Angeles to Singapore cruise
Duration: 11 January to 11 April 2026
From USD83,100 per guest, double occupancy
Ship: Crystal Serenity

The ship will depart Los Angeles for Hawaii. It will visit French Polynesia — Tahiti, Tonga and Fiji, followed by  New Zealand. In Asia, the cruise will visit Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, and finally Singapore.

58 nights: Mombasa to Tokyo
Duration: 6 February to 5 April 2026
From USD44,800 per guest, double occupancy
Ship Crystal Symphony

The cruise will start in the Kenyan city of Mombasa and sail to Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the Andaman Islands. Then on to the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. 

48 nights: Lisbon to Lisbon (features a total solar eclipse)
Duration: 27 June to 14 August 2026
From USD42,300 per guest, double occupancy
Crystal Serenity

The cruise will visit Copenhagen and Amsterdam, the Scottish islands, and Norway. It checks out the maritime heritage of Southampton, UK, Zeebrugge, Belgium, and Brest, France, and highlights the total solar eclipse when sailing between Spain and Portugal.

HKIA traffic up by 12,5% in 2024

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HONG KONG, 5 February 2025: Traffic at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) saw strong growth in 2024 as the airport entered a new era of three-runway operation. Flight movements in December rose year-on-year by 12.5% to 33,550. 

It was close to the pre-pandemic level, but individual daily flight movements exceeded that level, setting a new record.

In December 2024, passenger volume increased 18.3% year-on-year to 5.1 million. All passenger segments experienced significant growth compared to the same month last year, with traffic to and from Southeast Asia, Mainland China, and Japan recording the most significant increases. 

Cargo throughput in December 2024 increased by 6.6% year on year to 446,000 tonnes, with a 6.8% increase in exports. Traffic to and from key trading regions in Europe, the Middle East and Australasia saw the most substantial gains. The rise in cargo traffic in 2024 was mainly attributed to exports, which was up 20.2% compared with 2023, and the most significant increases were recorded in traffic to and from key trading regions in Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) Acting Chief Executive Officer Vivian Cheung said: “2024 was a rewarding year for HKIA. We commissioned the Three-runway System in November, on time and within budget, and was crowned the world’s busiest cargo airport for the 13th time since 2010. We had a busy Christmas period and are preparing for another peak during the Chinese New Year holidays as we see airlines adding many flights to meet the high demand.”

During the year, HKIA handled 53.1 million passengers and 363,305 flight movements, representing increases of around 34.3% and 31.6%, respectively, compared to 2023. Total cargo throughput for 2024 saw an annual growth of 14.0% to 4.9 million tonnes.

HKIA expanded its extensive air traffic network with several new destinations and flight routes added in January 2025. HK Express launched a new route to Sendai, while Hong Kong Airlines resumed direct flights to Vancouver and Gold Coast. Shenzhen Airlines launched a new service to Nanjing, while a new passenger airline, Air Premia, is starting to operate flights between Hong Kong and Seoul.

As the new year began, HKIA received several prestigious awards. At the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Hong Kong 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception, AAHK received the Prestigious Infrastructure Project in Hong Kong award for the Three-runway System project.

The awards complement the completed outstanding transportation infrastructure projects that greatly benefited mobility in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, HKIA was named “International Airport of the Year” and “Innovative Airport of the Year” at the 2024 Sky Choice Travel Awards organised by CAAC Inflight Magazine, the official inflight publication of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Hong Kong wraps up 2024 with 45m visitors

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HONG KONG, 5 February 2025: Hong Kong Tourism Board reports provisional visitor arrivals for 2024 came close to 45 million, up 31% year-on-year.  In December, Hong Kong welcomed 4.26 million visitors, an increase of 8% year on year. 

Mainland China remained the largest visitor source market for Hong Kong, supplying about 34 million visitor arrivals in 2024, up 27% year on year. Hong Kong welcomed 10.5 million non-Mainland China visitors in 2024, up 44% from the previous year.

Among short-haul arrivals, Southeast Asian markets were impressive, especially the Philippines, with a record-breaking annual total of 1.2 million visitors. Arrivals from Indonesia and Malaysia increased by 43% and 50% year-on-year, respectively.

Visitors from long-haul markets, including the US, Canada, Australia and Europe, also grew by more than 50%. Canada and Australia performed exceptionally well in the fourth quarter. The number of Indian visitors increased by more than 70% from 2023. 

Overnight stays 

Overnight visitors accounted for half of all visitors in 2024, with an average length of stay of 3.2 nights in Hong Kong. According to HKTB’s departing visitor survey, the satisfaction rate of overnight visitors reached 8.8 on a 10-point scale, and their intention to revisit and recommend Hong Kong as a destination to their friends and families reached 94%. All three indicators showed an improvement from 2023. 

HKTB Executive Director Dane Cheng commented: “Last year, HKTB made a great effort to organise and promote mega events in Hong Kong, while enhancing the visitor experience. We also launched various promotions targeting different markets and segments and stepped up our efforts to drive Hong Kong’s development as a Muslim-friendly destination.” 

(Source: HKTB)

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