Hongkongers are ready to pack their bags and travel abroad, according to the results of a survey conducted by travel platform Klook. The survey found that 96% of people in the city have international travel plans in the next year.
The survey, which included responses from 3,412 residents in the SAR aged 18-59 taken between May and June 2023, focused on respondents’ travel plans and planning habits. The results also found that current bookings exceed pre-pandemic demand.
Kenny Sham, general manager of Hong Kong and Macau at Klook, said, “Klook’s internal data shows that Hong Kong people’s bookings for overseas activities have far exceeded the level before the epidemic, an increase of 140% compared to 2019.”
In addition, 69% of the people surveyed said they plan to travel 2-4 times in the next year, and that 40% will head out of the city more than three times during that time.
The most popular destinations remain within the Asia-Pacific region. Japan is at the top of travellers’ wish lists, followed by Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, and Europe.
It is hardly surprising, therefore, that 69% of survey respondents said they prefer short trips (4-7 days long), while 24% will take longer holidays (8-15 days), though this is mostly among the 18-26 age group.
Shopping is no longer the main reason that people from Hong Kong travel abroad, with food (78%) and sightseeing (62%) surpassing retail therapy (58%) as top travel activities.
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