The Power of GBA A Surge in Local and Foreign Tourism

The Power of GBA A Surge in Local and Foreign Tourism

As the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) continues to thrive, it's no surprise that tourism is experiencing a remarkable boom. With a range of visa facilitation measures in place, both domestic and foreign tourists are flocking to this vibrant region. In this blog post, we'll delve into the latest statistics and explore what makes GBA such an attractive destination.

Record-Breaking Traffic

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has seen its highest single-day traffic since opening in 2018, with over 25,000 inbound and outbound vehicle trips recorded on a recent Saturday. This marks a significant increase of 35.6 percent year-on-year, with more than 69,000 trips by vehicles carrying number plates from Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). These numbers are a testament to the region's growing appeal.

Hong Kong Sees Significant Increase in Visitors

In Hong Kong, visitor arrivals have seen a notable rise, with over 680,000 people visiting the city between January 28 and January 31. This represents a 4 percent year-on-year increase, with 564,000 of those visitors coming from the Chinese mainland. Meanwhile, visitor arrivals from outside the Chinese mainland saw a 16 percent rise.

Macao's Tourism Boom

In Macao, visitor arrivals reached an impressive 219,000 on January 31, marking a significant surge in travel during the Spring Festival holiday period. The city's hotel occupancy rate has exceeded 90 percent, reflecting the region's growing popularity as a tourist destination.

The Power of Policy

Favorable policies rolled out from the central government and regional government in GBA since 2024 have driven this surge in tourism. The introduction of a multi-entry permit for permanent residents and residence permit holders in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone has been particularly effective, with over 16,000 visits made to Macao between January 1 and 31.

Economic Impact

The increased visitor traffic is having a positive impact on the local economy. According to Song Ding, a research fellow at the China Development Institute, the trend reflects residents' recovering confidence in the overall economy and an uptick in attitude toward consumption. This, in turn, is driving growth and development in the region.

Shenzhen Sees Surge in Foreign Arrivals

In Shenzhen, over 57,000 foreign arrivals and departures were recorded between January 28 and 10 a.m. Saturday, representing a significant increase of 38 percent year-on-year. This surge in foreign tourism is being driven by visa-free policies, with over 12,000 visitors taking advantage of this program.

Conclusion

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's power to drive tourism and economic growth is undeniable. With its convenient location, rich cultural heritage, and favorable policies, GBA has established itself as a must-visit destination for both local and foreign tourists. As the region continues to grow and develop, we can expect even more exciting developments in the years to come.

Keywords Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), tourism, visa facilitation measures, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Shenzhen, foreign arrivals, economic growth.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.