Extending the operating hours of border crossings may not be necessary during the Labour Day Golden Week, as mainland visitors do not typically flock to Hong Kong as much during this time, politicians and businessmen have said.
This came after the catering and retailing sectors complained during the Easter and Ching Ming long holidays when many Hong Kong residents flocked to mainland China.
It is understood that at a meeting last month of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to coordinate preparatory work for mainland visitors during the Golden Week, extending ports’ operating hours was not discussed.
Legislator Zhang Xinyu believes the extension would be unnecessary as the authorities are not holding overnight activities during the Labour Day Golden Week.
There will be a 10-minute fireworks display at 8pm on Labour Day, and it is believed there will be sufficient time to ease tourist flows after the show.
To facilitate traveler border crossings after Lunar New Year celebrative events, Lo Wu Port extended its operating hours to 2am while Shenzhen Bay Port operated around-the-clock on specific days.
However, according to Immigration Department data, only 1,258 and 1,487 people left Hong Kong through Shenzhen Bay Port and Lo Wu Port respectively during the early hours following the Lunar New Year fireworks show.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 