Hello Hong Kong! Hong Kong Is Back: Prepare to Be Delighted & Surprised

A captivating destination renews its invitation to visitors, opening its arms wide with no travel restrictions. 

Hong Kong has long dazzled visitors with its dizzying array of sights, sounds and experiences. Now, this dynamic gateway to Asia is once again opening its arms wide to welcome returning travelers and first-time visitors alike.

Those who accept the invitation will encounter a powerhouse of a city that seems expressly designed to delight and astonish. With its intriguing history, unique blend of eastern and western cultures, and influential role as a financial hub and global trading port, Hong Kong is a storied Asian city. 

This is also a destination that excels at delivering the experiences, creature comforts and ease of travel that your clients demand. Now that Hong Kong has lifted its quarantine and testing requirements, it’s the perfect time for travel advisors to recommend a visit.

Ready to Go

Hong Kong’s renewed welcome to visitors couldn’t come soon enough for leaders of North America’s travel industry and their customers, as travel industry VIPs tell Travel Weekly readers in a series of video interviews. 

Other travel executives agree. 

“I’ve been to Hong Kong three times and I can’t wait to go back. I just love the energy of Hong Kong,” says Moira Smith, vice president, Africa and Asia, for Goway.

“Hong Kong is an extremely accessible destination. It’s multicultural, easy to get around and suitable for all budgets. I love the sheer diversity of the food offerings – from some of the best restaurants in the world to humble food stalls.”

For travel advisors, suppliers and their clients, Hong Kong is an essential Asian destination, both as the focal point of itineraries and as part of multi-destination Asia trips.

“Hong Kong has always been one of the most appreciated global cities by our guests, one of the Top 10 on people’s bucket lists,” says Charlie Ball, executive vice president of Holland America Group.

“You get that combination of easy to get around for North Americans, interesting diverse culture, fabulous shopping – all in a beautiful setting, with one of the world’s great skylines nestled up against beautiful mountains. It’s really got it all going on,” Ball says.

Iconic Experiences

Visually, Hong Kong is a stunner. Its ever-growing business district of gleaming skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls is set off by the brilliant green waters of Victoria Harbor at its feet and lush green mountains at its back.

Iconic experiences abound – whether it’s traveling on the newly revamped Peak Tram to take in the spectacular 360-degree panorama from atop Victoria Peak or joining a morning Tai Chi class in a park; dining on Michelin-star haute cuisine or eating your way through dim sum at a traditional tea house; hunting down bargains in busy street markets or being fitted for a bespoke suit by a world-renowned tailor.

There are Chinese temples to contemplate, traditional fishing villages and colorful neighborhoods to explore, and a flourishing arts and cultural scene to experience.

Those expecting a strictly urban experience will be surprised by Hong Kong’s vast natural beauty and accessible outdoor activities. Nearly three-quarters of the territory is countryside, encompassing large recreational parks, nature preserves with lush flora and fauna, and dramatic mountain slopes laced with hiking trails. 

Hong Kong’s more than 250 islands entice visitors with their beautiful beaches, with water sports like surfing, kitesurfing, dragon boating and paddle boarding and with opportunities to explore coastal mangroves and rural villages like Yung Shue O and Sham Chung.

And it’s all within surprisingly easy reach of downtown.

Accessible, Easy to Get Around, Clean & Safe

For North American travelers, Hong Kong’s appeal is enhanced by the fact that English is widely spoken and understood, making it comfortable for travelers to explore on their own.

To further ensure visitor comfort and safety, Hong Kong continues to update and enforce the comprehensive public health, hygiene and cleanliness initiatives introduced during the height of the pandemic. 

Here’s another plus for visitors – the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Program makes it easy to identify the accredited shops and restaurants that meet QTS standards. 

The ease, efficiency and affordability of Hong Kong’s modern transportation system is another big plus. Whether your clients are traveling between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, exploring far-flung neighborhoods and attractions, or taking a day trip to an outlying island or nature preserve, Hong Kong’s transportation network will get them there swiftly, smoothly, safely and on time.