Hongkongers make 1.4 million outbound trips ahead of Lunar New Year

Hongkongers made close to 1.4 million outbound trips in the three days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Eve, a 21.6 per cent increase from the same period last year, while inbound journeys rose slightly by five per cent to more than 550,000.In this year and the last, city residents were able to take two weekdays off alongside the three Lunar New Year public holidays to create a nine-day holiday, with two weekends flanking the five days.In 2026, the festive period also coincided with Valentine’s Day on February 14, which did not occur last year.The number of arrivals from Mainland China and overseas reached 551,382 ahead of Lunar New Year. Photo: Elson LiData from the Immigration Department released on Monday showed that from February 13 to 15, Hong Kong residents made 1.39 million outbound trips, up from 1.14 million during the same period last year, from January 25 to 27.The number of arrivals from Mainland China and overseas grew from 524,489 to 551,382 during the same period.Lai Wing-chun, chairman of the Hong Kong Wholesale Florist Association, said the closeness of the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day had led to weaker business for local florists.“Some shoppers used the same flowers for both celebrations,” Lai said, adding that families typically spent about HK$1,000 (US$128) this year, roughly the same as last year, with orchids remaining among the most popular Lunar New Year choices.