HONG KONG: At the edge of an elevated basketball court in Kennedy Town, crowds press up against a battered iron fence with smartphones and cameras in hand, jockeying for the perfect shot. The goal is to capture the seascape of Belcher Bay, framed by the surrounding buildings. The photographers are Mandarin-speaking tourists, all in their 20s and 30s.
For them, taking photos and “checking in” at these iconic spots are crucial parts of their travel itinerary. Among them is Ms Tang Xueping, a 28-year-old sports teacher from Shanghai. She’s on a seven-day trip that includes an overnight stay in Macao.
“We ‘da ka’ (take photos at picture-perfect spots) almost every day,” she said, noting that their shopping purchases are limited to necessities. This trend of “special forces-style travel” or “tezhong bingshi luyou” in Chinese - quickly moving from one location to another at pace and on a budget - is reshaping Hong Kong's post-pandemic tourism. That’s especially as it gains traction among mainland Chinese travellers.
Making up the bulk of visitors to the city, mainlanders have already been tightening their belts - and a younger demographic plus changing perspectives have impacted how much and what they spend their money on. In the face of changing mainland tourist numbers and profiles, local businesses have switched up their strategies. Tour groups have pivoted to offering more in-depth tours, while retailers are placing greater emphasis on lower-priced items.