Hong Kong is stepping up preparations for the National Day Golden Week holiday, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu ordering departments to tighten crowd management, improve transport arrangements and take firm action against tour operators and shops involved in forced shopping.
Speaking before Tuesday’s Executive Council meeting, Lee said government departments were working together to prepare for a surge in visitors during the holiday period, with particular attention being paid to border control points and major tourist attractions across the city.
The preparations come as Hong Kong expects large numbers of mainland Chinese visitors during the National Day holiday, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Officials are seeking to prevent congestion at entry points and tourist sites while also protecting visitors from practices that could damage the city’s reputation as a shopping and tourism destination.
Cross Department Coordination at Border Points
Lee said the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office were coordinating operations across government departments ahead of the holiday.
Border control checkpoints will receive particular attention because of the expected increase in visitor flows. Authorities are preparing to monitor passenger movements and traffic conditions closely so that problems can be addressed before they develop into major bottlenecks.
The Security Bureau will activate its Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre when the Golden Week holiday begins. The centre will provide real time information on traffic conditions, border flows and other developments that could affect residents and visitors.
The arrangement is designed to give government departments a central source of information during the holiday and allow officials to respond more quickly when crowds or transport disruptions emerge.
For visitors, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will also operate a dedicated webpage containing information intended to help travellers plan their trips and make informed decisions while in the city.
The government has encouraged visitors to check official information before travelling to busy locations, particularly during periods when tourist numbers are expected to peak.
Major Attractions Prepare for Crowds
Hong Kong’s major attractions are also being included in the holiday planning.
Lee said authorities were reviewing arrangements at Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Ngong Ping 360, all of which are expected to attract substantial numbers of visitors during the holiday.
Government departments will provide updates on waiting times, extended opening hours and changes to transport arrangements when necessary.
The aim is to give tourists clearer information about conditions at popular attractions while helping authorities distribute crowds more effectively.
Long queues can quickly become a problem at major tourist destinations during public holidays, particularly when visitors arrive at similar times. By publishing information on waiting times and opening arrangements, authorities hope visitors can adjust their plans instead of arriving at already crowded locations.
Transport agencies and departments may also make adjustments where necessary to cope with increased demand around tourist districts and attractions.
Reservation Trial Extended at Po Pin Chau
Authorities are also preparing for heavy demand at scenic outdoor locations.
Lee said the government would continue using its trial reservation system for the Po Pin Chau Section of the High Island Geo Trail, an area that can attract large numbers of visitors during favourable weather and holiday periods.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will deploy additional staff to help visitors use the reservation system.
The extra manpower is intended to reduce confusion and assist people who may encounter difficulties with the booking process. It also gives officials a greater presence at the site during a period when visitor numbers are expected to rise.
The reservation arrangement forms part of wider efforts to manage visitor numbers at locations where physical space and transport capacity are more limited than at large commercial attractions.
Tougher Action Against Forced Shopping
Alongside crowd management, Lee placed particular emphasis on the government's planned crackdown on forced shopping.
Forced shopping has long been a concern associated with certain organised tour practices, where visitors can face pressure to purchase goods at designated shops. Such practices can lead to complaints, financial disputes and damage to Hong Kong’s reputation among tourists.
Lee said authorities would take strict enforcement action against travel agencies and tour guides found violating the rules.
The consequences could be severe. Travel agencies or tour guides involved in breaches may have their licences revoked immediately, while registered shops suspected of participating in illegal activities will also face enforcement action.
The message from the government is aimed at tour operators as well as retailers that rely on organised visitor groups.
For licensed travel agencies, the threat of losing a licence represents a direct commercial consequence. Tour guides can also face serious professional repercussions if they are found to have participated in prohibited practices.
The government’s position also places responsibility on shops that receive organised tourist groups. Businesses cannot assume that enforcement will focus only on the travel industry if illegal activity is discovered.
Protecting Hong Kong’s Tourism Reputation
The crackdown forms part of a broader effort to ensure that visitor numbers translate into a positive tourism experience rather than complaints and disputes.
Golden Week provides Hong Kong with a major opportunity to attract visitors and generate spending across hotels, restaurants, transport operators, attractions and retail businesses. But the quality of the visitor experience can influence whether tourists return and what they tell others about the city.
A visitor who encounters excessive pressure to spend money may leave with a very different impression from one who can explore attractions, dine and shop freely.
Lee therefore urged Hong Kong residents to demonstrate hospitality during the holiday period.
He described Golden Week as an important opportunity for the city to show visitors its welcoming spirit. That appeal extends beyond government departments and tourism businesses. Transport staff, shop workers, restaurant employees and members of the public will all play a role in how visitors experience the city.
Officials Prepare for a High Traffic Holiday
The government's preparations cover several parts of the visitor journey, from the moment travellers cross the border to their movement through the city's busiest attractions.
Border checkpoints will be closely monitored. The Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre will provide authorities with updated information. The Tourism Board will offer travel information online, while major attractions will adjust operations according to visitor demand.
At outdoor destinations such as Po Pin Chau, additional staff will support the reservation system.
At the same time, enforcement teams will be watching for forced shopping and other illegal practices involving tour groups and registered shops.
The approach reflects the practical challenge facing Hong Kong during a major holiday: attracting large numbers of visitors while keeping public facilities manageable and ensuring tourists are treated fairly.
The government has made clear that tourism growth will not excuse misconduct. Agencies and guides that violate the rules risk losing their licences, and shops involved in illegal activity can also face enforcement.
For visitors planning to spend Golden Week in Hong Kong, checking official travel and attraction information before setting out could help avoid the busiest periods and reduce unnecessary delays.
For the city itself, the test will be whether the preparations deliver more than smooth traffic and shorter queues. A successful holiday will also depend on visitors feeling that they can travel, shop and explore without being pressured into purchases they do not want.
As Golden Week approaches, Hong Kong has put both crowd management and visitor protection at the centre of its preparations. Will the tougher enforcement measures succeed in giving Golden Week visitors a smoother and more trustworthy experience across the city?