<div id="readability-page-1">Hongkongers made close to 1.4 million outbound trips in the three days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Eve, a 21.6 per cent increase from the same period last year, while inbound journeys rose slightly by five per cent to more than 550,000. In this year and the last, city residents were able to take two weekdays off alongside the three Lunar New Year public holidays to create a nine-day holiday, with two weekends flanking the five days. In 2026, the festive period also coincided with Valentine’s Day on February 14, which did not occur last year.  Data from the Immigration Department released on Monday showed that from February 13 to 15, Hong Kong residents made 1.39 million outbound trips, up from 1.14 million during the same period last year, from January 25 to 27. The number of arrivals from mainland China and overseas grew from 524,489 to 551,382 during the same period. Lai Wing-chun, chairman of the Hong Kong Wholesale Florist Association, said the closeness of the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day had led to weaker business for local florists. “Some shoppers used the same flowers for both celebrations,” Lai said, adding that families typically spent about HK$1,000 (US$128) this year, roughly the same as last year, with orchids remaining among the most popular Lunar New Year choices. Michael Leung Chun-wah, chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, said business for reunion dinners was good despite fewer bookings on Lunar New Year’s Eve, when families traditionally gathered for the meal. “Restaurants are all full, doing one round of business. There might have been more than one in the previous years, but bookings were also very good on Saturday and Sunday as people had their reunion dinners earlier before travelling. Overall, it is good,” Leung said. He said prices had risen by about five per cent to more than HK$4,000 per table for families, while corporate bookings, typically ranging from HK$5,000 to HK$6,000, also did well as many companies cancelled their Christmas celebrations and postponed them until now.</div>

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<p>Hongkongers made nearly 1.4 million outbound trips in the three days before Lunar New Year’s Eve, a 21.6% increase from last year, while inbound journeys rose by 5% to over 550,000. The holiday period allowed for a nine-day break, with the festive season coinciding with Valentine’s Day in 2026. Local florists reported weaker business due to overlapping celebrations, while restaurants experienced good bookings for reunion dinners, despite a slight decline on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Prices for family dinners rose by about 5%, reflecting increased demand.</p>

- During the three days before the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong residents took approximately 1.39 million outbound trips, a 21.6% increase from last year, while inbound trips slightly rose to over 551,000.  
- The Lunar New Year coincides with Valentine's Day this year, affecting local flower sales, with retailers experiencing a decline in business due to overlapping floral purchases for both celebrations.  
- Despite a decrease in reservations for reunion dinners, restaurants reported full bookings, with an average table price rising about 5%, demonstrating good overall business activity.

Hongkongers make 1.4 million outbound trips ahead of Lunar New Year