Reported in UNWTO’s May Tourism Barometer, world’s overnight tourist in the first quarter this year exceeded 300 million, up 5%, and maintain its forecast of 3% to 5% growth for whole year of 2025.

In the first 4 months of 2025, Hong Kong residents made a total of 37.7 million departures, which up 17.1% over same period last year. The city’s departures in 2024 has already fully recovered to pre-pandemic level.

From above UBS report, USA had the most millionaires in 2024 to be followed by China (mainland) at 6.327 million which almost 10 times that of Hong Kong.

From above UBS report, median of Hong Kong adults’ wealth in 2024 averaged US$222,015, and the city thus ranked world’s 4th highest after Luxemburg, Australia and Belgium.

From above UBS report, Hong Kong in 2024 had 647,000 millionaires averaging about one per every ten adults, while Singapore had 331,000 millionaires.

According to UBS 2025 Report, wealth of Hong Kong adults averages at US$ 601,195 and ranked World’s third highest after Switzerland at US$ 687,166 and USA at US$ 620,654; while Singapore at US$ 441,597 ranked 7th highest.

Held from June 12 to 15, ITE2025 had 88% of its 502 exhibitors and 53% its 7,626 buyers and trade visitors from outside and overseas; and 70,212 public visitors who mainly premium FIT. Among its 64 exhibiting countries and regions, around 35% from outside Asia regions (details see closing press release).

On per capita per trip basis, Chinese tourists on average staying in Spain for 10.3 nights and spent EURO 2978 or RMB 24200.

The number of visitors from China to Spain in 2024 reached 647,800, up 66.7% over 2023 and almost fully recovered to pre-pandemic level.

IATA (the International Airport Transport Association) survey in April this year found 65% of respondents will not change their travel habit, and 68% of business travelers polled will travel more to visit clients.

Globally, airlines forecast to carry a record number of 4.99 billion travelers in 2025, which up 4% over 2024 but is a drop comparing to IATA’s forecast of 5.22 billion travelers in last December.

Held in Hong Kong in 2024 were 121 exhibitions with scale of 2000 sqm or more, up 9.6% over the year before; but space occupied dropped 6.8% to 830,000 sqm.

Trip.com, a leading travel portal of China, report Chinese summer booking of cruise holidays this year up 60% over last year, and in particular booking of overseas long haul cruise holidays up 120%!

Arrivals from China in 2024 to Kazakhstan totaled 655,000 which 9 times such arrivals in 2019.

Our Guest of Honor, Miss LAW Shuk Pui, Rosanna, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government will officiate the Opening Ceremony of ITE Hong Kong 2025, which will be held from 10.30 AM of June 12 at ITE’s Grand Stage. During the Ceremony, the Guest of Honor and Guests on Stage will take group photos respectively with Consul Generals and Travel Industry Leaders.

Arrivals from China to Vietnam in the first 4 months of 2025 reached 1.95 million, accounting for 25.4% of Vietnam’s all foreign arrivals in that period.

Around 3.13 million Chinese travelers visited Japan in the first four months of 2025, which surpassed the corresponding total of 2.89 million in the same period of 2019.

Repeating Chinese travelers in their 30s to 40s is a driving force of their travel preferences shift, who now choose family trips with their children over group tours.

Arrivals from China to Japan increased to 6.98 million in 2024 from 2.42 million in 2023, and more Chinese inbound seek “immersive experiences related to Japanese cuisine, culture and scenery”, media quoted Japan National Tourism organization.

From recent report by the World Tourism Cities Federation, globally, international travelers totaled 1.44 billion in 2024, which up 12.3% over last year and recovered for the first time to 2019 level.

From recent report by the World Tourism Cities Federation, globally, international tourism generated total income of US$1.87 trillion in 2024, up 6.3% over the previous year.

Rumors of an impending earthquake said to happen in July this year caused airline bookings from Hong Kong to Japan, since April, plunged by an average of 50% vs a year ago, from Bloomberg.

Arrivals from China to Singapore in the first quarter of this year exceeded 830,000, which up 5.8% over same period last year and accounted for 19.3% of all Singapore inbound in the same quarter.

Ranked top in Asian market, Chinese travelers stayed for nearly 1.12 million room-nights in 2024 in Switzerland, which about 62% the level of pre-pandemic 2019.

In the first quarter this year, inbound from Hong Kong spent HK$7.6 billion in Japan, averaging about HK$12300 per person which around 54% of Hong Kong residents' median income.

Spurred by cheaper yen, Hong Kong resident spent YEN 658.4 billion or HK$ 35 billion in Japan in 2024. Media reported arrivals to Japan from mainland China and Hong Kong will rise respectively by 1.5% and 1.2% when yen depreciated by 1% in value.

From Mastercard Economic Institute, Asia Pacific travelers take travel experiences seriously, include gourmet, nature and wellness as major travel motivation, and go after meaningful moments instead of traditional sightseeing.

Quoting Mastercard Economic Institute on May 15, media reported the world’s top most popular destination for this summer. The top three are respectively Tokyo, Osaka and Paris, and 8 of the top 15 are located in Asia Pacific.

Media reported countries which are outbound destinations popular to Chinese tourists during the five days long May Day Holiday include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia and Russia.

According to projection by China Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic travelers there in the five days long May Day Holiday totaled 314 million up 6.4% over last year, and they spent RMB180.3 billion on traveling up 8.0%.

In a service quality contest based on survey data of nearly 700,000 international travelers, eight Chinese international airports, namely the Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Quangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Baoan, Haikou Meilan, Zhangjiakou Ningyuan, Qingdao Jiaodong, and Shijiazhuang Zhengding won the 2024 Best Airport Award according to the Airport Council International.

New Zealand welcomed 248,000 Chinese travelers in 2024, up over 60% comparing to 2023, and thus China ranked the country’s third largest source market.

Around 76000 Chinese travelers visited Brazil in 2024, up 79%. Also, Brazil published in January this year a list of 333 travel agents which authorized to receive Chinese tourists.

Quoting Travel Association of Thailand Chonburi Province, media reported on May 1 Chinese arrivals in March this year dropped from the expected number of 1 million plus to 300000.

Quoting Thailand Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), media reported on May 1 a focus survey found Thailand’s popularity among Chinese tourists dropped to seventh place.

Some 1.68 million Hong Kong residents departed the city between May 1 and May 5, and for example they made some 296,000 departures on May 1 which up nearly 52% over same period last year.

Media reported on May 6, mainland Chinese citizens using WeChat to make payment abroad during the May Day Golden Week rose 37% over last year by number of transaction, and specifically grew by 50% in South Korea.

Media reported on May 6, Hong Kong residents using WeChat to make payment in mainland China during the May Day Golden Week, both by amount and number of transaction, doubled same period last year.

Quoting the Secretary General of China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA), media reported on April 27 that since 2017 China surpassed UK, Germany and France to become the world’s second largest cruise source market after USA.

Chartered Bank survey found the Hong Kong high-net-worth group, besides enjoying good food, nearly half of them will also take part in cultural activities or buy limited edition of quality products. They also interested in niche destinations, and specifically, 11% of them will visit Africa and Central Asia.

Chartered survey found 82% of the (A) Well Off group regard enjoying good food an important travel experience. Their favorite destinations mainly in Asia with Japan at 67% ranked top, to be followed by China at 51% then Europe at 41%.

Its findings reported in April this year, the Chartered Bank’s survey interviewed 1090 Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above who consists of the (A) Well Off Group (members able investing from HK$1 to just below 7.8 million), and the (B) High Net Worth Group (members investing at least HK$7.8 million. The survey included questions related to travel.

Quoting umetrip, media reported as of April 22 in China booking of domestic air tickets during the May Day Holiday exceeded 4.80 million, up around 33% of last year.

Media reported that according to big data from umetrip, the first travel-based mobile apps launched by China Aviation Information Network, as of April 22, China’s booking of inbound and outbound air tickets during the May Day Holiday totaled 980,000, up around 25% of last year.

Quoting survey by Japan Tourism Agency, media reported in April, among foreign tourists visiting Japan, those visited movie and animation-related attractions increased from 4.6% in 2019 to 7.5% in 2023.

Quoting Visa, an e-payment platform, media on April 15 reported 7 out of the World’s top 10 destinations in 2024 in the Asia Pacific which include Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

Quoting Visa, an e-payment platform, media on April 15 reported total number of Asia Pacific outbound travelers in 2024 grew 24% over the year before, which far higher than the global average of 12%.

A total of 1.86 million or around 25% Hong Kong residents departed the city in the 4 days long Easter Holiday, and among them 1.23 million left the city in the first 2 days.

Turkey’s new target is to attract each year 1 million Chinese tourists, a big increase, as in 2023 Chinese arrivals totaled around 248,100.

Arrivals from China to Turkey in 2024 totaled some 410,000, up 65.1% over 2023, and China by such high growth rate ranked Turkey’s fastest growing market.

Quoting IAATO, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, media reported in March 9384 Chinese tourists traveled to the Antarctica in the 2024 -25 season, a new record, which accounted for 7.7% of all Antarctica travelers in that season.

Over 85000 Chinese travelers visited Indonesia in November 2024, up 12.9%, and Indonesia target welcoming 2 million arrivals from China in 2025, up 33%.

Arrivals from China to Indonesia in 2024 exceeded 1.50 million which doubled the number in 2023.

Hong Kong welcomed over 1.42 million overnight MICE visitors in 2024, their average per capita spending at HK$7,800, from Hong Kong Tourism Board.

In 2024, some 350 exhibitions and conventions were held in Hong Kong, which in total drew 9.17 million participants. The city expects to hold 320 exhibitions in 2025.

Exhibitions and conventions held in Hong Kong respectively totaled 150 in 2022 and 320 in 2023, which were respectively drew 3.52 million and 6.87 million participants. Comparing these two pandemic years, both the total number of exhibitions and conventions and participants grew by over 100%.

Quoting Global Blue, media reported in mid-March Chinese tourists contributed 25% of the world’s duty-free shopping of luxury products, and their consumption preference in overseas duty-free shops more on cosmetics and electronic products.

Quoting an US market research firm report published in last October, the global cycling tourism market generated income of US$118.2 billion in 2023, and project an annual growth rate of 8.74% through 2029.

Media report, EU recent study found that cycling tourism in Europe can generate EURO 44 billion annually(RMB331.9 billion), which larger than income from cruise at EURO 39 billion (RMB291.8 billion). What’s more, the cycling market keeps expanding.

From Trip.com over 60% Hong Kong travelers being inspired by movies and popular television series to select travel destinations.

From Trip.com, on cruise holiday, Hong Kong tourists’ top three preferences are Excellent Scenery at 53%; all-inclusive package at 50%, and entertainment at 47%.

Trip.com reported top attractions on cruise vacations will be onboard dining options (44%), all-inclusive packages (38%), and live shows or entertainment (31%).

Trip.com data showed Food Stall popular among Hong Kong and Singapore tourists; while Japanese and South Korean tourists favor Hotel Catering.

Based on data of over 6000 travelers from 6 Asia Pacific markets, Trip.com last month reported food and drink is core element when travelers plan holiday itinerary. Specifically, 62% ranked Food Festival, 60% Hotel Catering and 52% Food Stalls most popular gourmet experience!

Earlier this year, Hong Kong Disneyland reported last year it generated revenue of HK$8.8 billion, up 54%, and made a net profit of HK$838 million, up from a loss of HK$365 million the year before. Among its 7.70 million visitors last year, locals accounted for 40% and mainland tourists 38%.

Arrivals from China to Brazil rose 79% to some 76000 in 2024, which announced in Jan 2025 a list 333 travel agents which been approved to receive Chinese tourists this year.

In 2024, Singapore Changi Airport handled almost double more passengers to and from China, which also 6% higher than pre-pandemic level.

On travel spending, inbound from China who spent a total of 3.58 billion Singapore dollars in 2024, the largest contributor.

From Trip.com, booking of air tickets, hotel and attractions from China during the 2025 Spring Festival Golden Week to Singapore grew 26%.

Arrivals from China in 2024 to Malaysia totaled 3.29 million, which up 1.81 million over 2023. China thus become Malaysia’s third largest source market by overnight inbound.

From National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb 28, mainland Chinese made some 145.9 million departures in 2024.

In a report issued in May 2024 by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, by the end of 2023 China had 66 airlines which operated a total of 4270 airplanes.

China’s civil aviation industry flied some 59000 outbound flights in January 2025, which recovered to 92.4% the 2019 level, and Japan ranked top destinations for these flights.

IATA latest survey, which found 94% travelers will the in next 12 months increase or maintain the same travel frequency as in the past year, has the same findings as in its Nov 2024 survey.

From IATA, the global aviation industry saw occupancy rate climbed to a new height of 82.1% in January this year, while passenger carrying capacity rose 7.1%.

From European aviation trade media which quoted IATA report, global passenger traffic grew 12.4% In January 2025, and specifically the Asia-Pacific market grew 21.8%.

By the end of 2023, China had around 90600 chain hotels which up 28% over 2022, but fewer than 10% of these hotels took part in star rating.

Rate of China’s 5-star hotels averaged RMB599 in the first three quarters of 2024, which a cut of 5% over last year, and occupancy rate also dropped 4%.

China had 432 five star hotels in 2008, which increased to 845 by the end of 2019. The number then dropped in the following five years by nearly 13% to 736 by the third quarter of 2024.

Hong Kong residents made 104.7 million departures in 2024, which up 10.6% over the pre-pandemic 2019 and up 45% over 2023. Quality outbound recovery as Hong Kong recovered more by spending (84%) than departures (77%) in 2023.

In 2024, Hong Kong Disneyland generated income of HK$880 million, up 54%, and net profit of HK$838 million, up 335% over its loss of HK$356 million in 2023.

In 2024, Hong Kong Disneyland drew some 7.70 million visitors, of whom the locals accounting for 40% to be followed closely by those from the mainland (China) at 38%. Significantly, average visitors’ spending up 30% over last year.

Among Japan’s all foreign visitors in January 2025, China ranked top market as arrivals from China totaled 983,000, up 135.6% over last year.

Among all South Korea’s foreign arrivals last year, Chinese with 4.6 million visitors the largest group, and many of them interest in duty-free shopping and K-pop filming locations.

Foreign arrivals to South Korea in 2024 totaled 16.37 million, up 48.4% over 2023 and 94% of the 2019 level, who contribute 9.26 trillion won, up 33.8%, into the economy.

Combined GDP of the cities of the Greater Bay Area (the Bay) in 2024, based on figures published by member cities in Guangdong, and estimates by Hong Kong and Macau, total RMB 14.77 trillion (US$2.068 trillion) which up 5. 1% over 2023. That would have ranked the Bay the world’s 10th largest economy.

In 2024, Singapore Changi Airport handled 67.7 million passengers, up 14.8% over last year and back to 99.1% of 2019 pre-pandemic level; some 366,000 flights, up 11.5% over 2023.

During the 2025 Chinese New Year Holiday, number of transactions made in mainland China by WeChat Pay HK users soaring by 90% over same period last year, of which those transactions in dining, retail and bill payments more than doubled.

In 2024, foreign arrivals to Singapore totaled 16.50 million, and among them 3.08 million from China, which up 126% over 2023 or 85% over 2019.

In January 2025, foreign arrivals to Vietnam totaled 2.07 million, of whom 575,000 from mainland China which up 237% over same period last year. China thus becomes Vietnam’s largest source market.

According to Trip.com’s Feb 4 report, China’s bookings of overseas car rental during 2025 Spring Festival Holiday averaged RMB3000 per booking, up 3% over last year; and popular destinations include Los Angeles, Dubai, San Francisco, Bangkok and Phuket of Thailand.

According to Trip.com’s Feb 4 report, China’s bookings of overseas car rental during 2025 Spring Festival Holiday up 42% over last year, and their rental period averaged 6 days.

According to Trip.com’s Feb 4 report, China’s bookings to visit Japan during 2025 Spring Festival Holiday doubled; while those to USA, Spain, Italy and France up respectively 53%, 82%, 56% and 50% over last year.

On Feb 4, Trip.com reported its (mainland) China’s outbound bookings for 2025 Spring Festival Holiday, overall, up 30% over same period last year.

Hong Kong Airport served 53.12 million passengers in 2024, which a post-pandemic new height and about 74% of the pre-pandemic 2019.

In 2024, Cathay carried 22.83 million passengers, which 64.8% pre-pandemic level. Including its subsidiary, Hong Kong Express, Cathay group last year carried over 28 million passengers.

(Mainland) China's domestic travelers spent RMB5.75 trillion in 2024, up 17.1% or RMB 840 billion over 2023 according to announcement of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism of P. R. China on Jan 22.

(Mainland) China’s domestic travelers in 2024 totaled 5.615 billion, up 14.8% or 724 million over 2023 according to China Ministry of Culture & Tourism.

6.98 million Chinese travelers visited Japan in 2024, which 2.9 times the total of 2023 and accounting for 18.9% of all Japan’s inbound in that year.

Quoted in media in late January, China Trading Desk, a digital marketing firm, forecast around 2.2 million to 2.6 million Chinese travelers travel globally during the Chinese New Year Golden Week Holiday this year, which up 30% over same period last year but only around 40% pre-pandemic level.

The Spring Festival Holiday this year starts on Jan 29, but many Hong Kong residents take two days off (Jan 27 & 28) to have a 9 to 10 days long holiday, and some already departed for outbound holiday. A total of around 859,000 Hong Kong residents (11.5% the population) departed on Jan 24 (Friday) and Jan 25 (Saturday), of whom around 115,000 or 13.4% departed from the airport.

Some 285,000 arrivals from Hong Kong visited Japan in last December, up 13.7% over last year and a new record for a single month.

Among Japan’s top five source markets, Hong Kong arrivals ranked top by spending on Food and Drink at around HK$2679, and ranked second on shopping at HK$4438 after tourists from mainland China.

Arrivals from Hong Kong in 2024 spent HK$32.8 billion in Japan, up 37% over 2023 and up 87% over pre-pandemic 2019, with per capita spending per trip averaging YEN 248,000 or HK$12,000.

Hong Kong outbound to Japan in 2024 totaled 2.68 million, thus ranked Japan’s fifth largest source market after China (mainland), Taiwan, South Korea and USA.

Quoting Thai official on Jan 16, media reported Thailand projected foreign arrivals to Thailand from Jan 24 to Feb 2 will exceed 4 million, up 10.4%, and among them some 0.77 million Chinese arrivals, up 22.6%.

Foreign arrivals to Thailand from Jan 1 to Dec 1 in 2024 totaled over 32 million, of whom 6.21 million from China which then ranked Thailand top source market.

Above case also caused in China cancellations of cruise booking to SE Asia during the Chinese New Year, which some travel agents claimed reaching around 30%, reported media on Jan 14.

In 2023, China spent over US$196.5 billion on international travel, which higher than USA at US$150 billion, Germany at US%$112 billion, UK at US$110 billion and France at US$49 billion.

The recent kidnap case of a Chinese actor in Thailand caused price of round trip air ticket from Shanghai to Bangkok during the coming Spring Festival dropped by nearly 40%, media reported on Jan 14

Quoting China Tourism Research Institute, media reported in end of last Dec China’s outbound in the year of 2024 will reach 130 million, which recovered to 84% pre-pandemic level.

Arrivals from China to Serbia in 2024 totaled around 147,000, reported media which quoted Serbian official.

Media reported on Jan 7 China had over 385 million travelers in Ice & Snow leisure travel which also include winter sport in the of 2023 – 2024 season, and the number projected to rise over 500 million in the next season.

Over 3 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia in 2024, which an increase of 36.5%.

Trip.com also reported among its Hong Kong outbound clients in the first 11 months of 2024, millennials or Generation Z (born between the 1980s and 1990s) accounted for 46%; Generation X (born between the 1965s and 1980s) rose to 33% reflecting the growing interest in traveling among middle-aged people; while the Generation Z accounted for 14% who are more interested in MEGA EVENTS like concerts and sport events.

Quoting Taliban officials, media reported on Dec 30 some 14,500 foreign tourists visited the isolated nation of Afghanistan between 2022 and 2024.

Trip.com reported 62% of its Hong Kong clients in 2024 booked hotels with high star rating which same as in 2023. They usually booked their holidays 1 to 2 months before departure, and more and more of them started exploring niche destinations though traveling to hot short-haul destinations remain popular.

Based on its data, Trip.com reported its Hong Kong clients in the first 11 months of 2024, on average, took 1.9 outbound flights and traveled 4661 km, which respectively up 1.7 times and by 3023 km on distance traveled.

The survey found 56% male and 66% female respondents spent more in the year of 2024 than 2023, of whom 21% male spent 20% more and 42% spent 10% more.

On destination for outbound holiday during Christmas, the above survey found that bigger difference between men and women who choose to travel overseas, taking up 42% and 51% respectively. While choose to travel to mainland China are closer, with men and women taking up 35% & 36% respectively.

An organization interviewed 529 men and women by phone and online from late Nov to early Dec 2024 on their spending pattern during Christmas 2024.