Manila: The Philippines has emerged as a crucial tourism market for Hong Kong, drawing around 1.2 million Filipino travelers in 2024, the highest among visitors from Southeast Asia.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) revealed that this figure represents nearly half of the 2.4 million arrivals from the Southeast Asian region.
HKTB Executive Director Dane Cheng expressed enthusiasm over this milestone during a reception in Taguig City, emphasizing that Hong Kong was the top travel destination for Filipinos last year. Cheng stated, "As we look forward to 2025, we have no intention of slowing down-we remain committed to staying one step ahead and providing visitors with a million reasons to explore Hong Kong."
The HKTB noted that Southeast Asia has quickly become Hong Kong's fastest-recovering visitor source market, showing strong growth since the city fully reopened to international travelers. In 2024, visitor numbers from the region rebounded to approximately 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
In November, Hong Kong celebrated the arrival of its one millionth visitor from the Philippines, Miguel Linao, who traveled with his wife Ana and their three children. Miguel shared that his family has been frequent visitors to the city, enjoying its diverse offerings. "My wife and I love the food and the modern vibe of Hong Kong. And then for our kids, of course, there's the theme parks," he said.
Miguel also praised Hong Kong for its culinary experiences and numerous dining options, noting, "There are so many restaurants to choose from-so, there's something for everyone. And I think we have barely scratched the surface."
Visitors from Southeast Asia typically stay an average of 3.4 nights, spending around 7,100 HK dollars per person. Their top attractions include theme parks, markets like Temple Street and Ladies' Market, and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, which features the Avenue of Stars, the Clock Tower, and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Overall, Hong Kong received a total of 44.5 million arrivals in 2024, with more than half coming from mainland China.