When Will Travel To Hong Kong Resume?

Hong Kong has reopened to the world after over two years of stop-start border closures, marking a significant shift in the financial hub’s tourism landscape. The Hong Kong government announced the ending of formal quarantine for international travelers after more than two and a half years of stringent COVID-19 rules. Inbound travelers must be fully vaccinated and undergo a pre-departure RAT test within 24 hours before the scheduled departure.

Hong Kong plans a gradual reopening with mainland China from December, with global travel in mid-2022. The financial hub will reopen its borders with Guangdong province and its non-residents starting next month, indicating some steps to ease up on the world’s strictest pandemic travel. Dr. Pang Yiu Kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), welcomed the government announcement of full resumption of normal travel starting on Monday.

However, Hong Kong’s long-awaited tourism recovery has not gone smoothly. As most of the world, including mainland China, reopened in 2022, the divergence of inbound and outbound tourism will affect local retail sales, and a full recovery is unlikely before 2025. Since Hong Kong fully reopened to travelers in February last year, mainland Chinese visitors have been impacted by the divergence of inbound and outbound tourism.

In conclusion, Hong Kong is finally back on the tourist map after three years of near-total closure. The Hong Kong Tourism Board is now allowing entry of business travelers, but with certain restrictions.

Does Hong Kong still require a PCR test?

The United States has eliminated all pre-departure and post-arrival quarantine and testing requirements for travelers to Hong Kong, including vaccination for all inbound travelers. Upon arrival, all inbound individuals are required to undergo temperature screening. Those exhibiting symptoms will be referred to the Department of Health for further management. For further information, please refer to the dedicated website.

Are tourists returning to Hong Kong?

In 2023, Hong Kong experienced a significant increase in international visitor arrivals, reaching 34 million, compared to 600, 000 in the previous year. However, this number is still below pre-pandemic levels. In the first six months of 2024, visitor arrivals exceeded 21 million. Hong Kong is a significant tourist hub in Asia, with leisure tourism being the main purpose for 60% of visitors. Over half of the travelers arriving annually come from mainland China, providing an important revenue stream for the tourism industry.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the tourism industry, with most visitors arriving in January 2020 and monthly arrivals dropping to five to ten thousand from February 2020. Tourism has only started recovering in 2023.

Can tourists still go to Hong Kong?

The US State Department advises US citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Hong Kong due to arbitrary local law enforcement. The CDC and WHO recommend vaccinations for Hong Kong, including hepatitis A, B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19. This is especially important for LGBTQIA+ travelers.

Is Hong Kong safe to visit in 2024?

The Hong Kong Safeguarding National Security Law, which will come into effect in March 2024, imposes stringent national security regulations that are open to broad interpretation. Protests and large gatherings have the potential to escalate into violent incidents, and the government has the authority to prohibit unapproved demonstrations and may detain protesters. It is therefore recommended that caution be exercised and that participation in protests, demonstrations, and large gatherings in Hong Kong be avoided.

Is it safe to travel to China in 2024?

The advisory group recommends reconsidering travel to China due to arbitrary local law enforcement and the risk of wrongful detentions. It advises travelers to read about experiences and register their trip with the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides safety updates and helps the US Embassy in emergencies. US citizens’ safety measures may differ from those from other countries due to different international relations with China.

CIBTvisas’ managing director for the Asia-Pacific region, Nicolas Derbyshire, advises travelers to give themselves more time for visa issuance and seek professional help to navigate the complex and cumbersome process.

Is it safe to travel to Russia?

The US government advises US citizens to avoid travel to Russia due to the destabilization caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In October 2022, the Russian government declared martial law in several border areas with Ukraine, including Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar. Consultations at the US Embassy Moscow and Consulate General Vladivostok are suspended, and all consular services should be contacted at the Embassy Moscow.

Can I enter Hong Kong now?

It is not a requirement for travelers entering Hong Kong to undergo testing for or vaccination against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), also known as SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, a temperature assessment may be required upon arrival. It is requisite that a passport be valid for a minimum of one month following departure from Hong Kong. It is imperative to ascertain that your travel documents comply with the stipulated requirements and, should they be inadequate, to obtain the necessary renewals.

Do i need to quarantine in Hong Kong now?

Starting April 1, 2023, all pre-departure and post-arrival quarantine and testing requirements for inbound travelers to Hong Kong have been lifted. All travelers must pass temperature checks upon arrival and those with symptoms will be referred to the Department of Health. The Hong Kong Government recommends daily RATs using self-arranged kits from the day of arrival until Day 5 after arrival. Travellers can report their RAT results and health status via the Electronic COVID-19 Monitoring and Surveillance System (eCMSS).

Mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing measures have been lifted, but mask-wearing is still required for people entering medical facilities, residential care homes for the elderly, and persons with weakened immunity or chronic diseases.

How many years does Hong Kong have left?

The Hong Kong Basic Law ensured that Hong Kong would retain its legislative system and people’s rights for fifty years as a special administrative region (SAR) of China. The handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 1997 marked the end of 156 years of British rule in the former colony. Hong Kong was established as a SAR for 50 years, maintaining its own economic and governing systems from mainland China. However, influence from Beijing increased after the passing of the Hong Kong national security law in 2020.

What is the tourist requirement to enter Hong Kong?

Hong Kong, a popular tourist and commerce hub in Asia, is located on the south coast of China and is part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR). The city is made up of three territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories. As the 8th most densely populated city globally, Hong Kong covers 427 square miles (1, 110 square kilometers) and is primarily ethnic Chinese. Nationals from 170 countries and territories can travel to Hong Kong visa-free for 7 days to 180 days. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and has a blank page before traveling.