Increasing flight services have helped convince many Hong Kongers to take a trip this summer.
Nearly 80% of Hong Kong travellers are planning an overseas trip this summer, according to a poll by online travel agency, Expedia.
Despite the ongoing travel restrictions, including a mandatory seven-day hotel quarantine on return to Hong Kong, Hong Kongers are apparently raring to go. As a third summer of heavy travel restrictions begins, 51% of those surveyed said they had already made a travel booking.
The survey was carried out last month by independent research group OnePoll on behalf of Expedia and asked 1,000 Hong Kong residents aged between 18 and 45 who have travelled overseas during the last three years of their intentions for this summer.
An overwhelming 79% said they were planning a trip between June and September this year, and while over half had already booked, 28% said they were in the process of organising their travel plans.
In total, 89% said they were interested in overseas travel this summer.
However, while the rest of the world has reopened to international travel, Hong Kong has remained stuck with heavy restrictions, including multiple tests, flight suspensions and quarantine.
It has been a miserable three years for travel but according to the Expedia survey, wannabe travellers in Hong Kong have been buoyed by vaccinations, easing travel restrictions abroad and increasingly stable flight services.
The survey revealed that key drivers to resume leisure travel was the desire to explore further afield after being cooped up for so long, and around a third noted they wanted to take advantage of relatively tourist-free destinations at present.
Although Expedia was measuring the drive to international leisure travel, presumably in many cases, particularly amongst Hong Kong’s expat population, travel has also been driven by sheer desperation to see family again.
Japan, particularly Hokkaido and Tokyo, featured among the top five most popular destinations, despite the country still maintaining some restrictions.
The survey is part of Expedia’s #TravelForReal campaign and was conducted in four Asian markets, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea.
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One of the world's most vibrant international hubs remains shut off from the world.
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