Almost 8m tourists expected to flock in over the holidays

This is a 9.2% increase.

According to a release, the Immigration Department estimates that about 7.93 million passengers will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays from January 29 to February 6, a 9.2% increase over last year.

About 5.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound passengers by land will peak on February 1 with about 353,000 people departing Hong Kong, while inbound traffic will be heaviest on February 3 with about 449,000 arrivals.

An estimated 2.21 million passengers will travel via Lo Wu Control Point, making it the busiest entry point, with a daily average of 246,000 passengers.

Passenger traffic at the Lok Ma Chau, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay control points will also be heavy, with daily average forecasts of 83,000, 151,000 and 113,000 passengers.

To avoid congestion and long waits for immigration clearance, the department advises cross-boundary travellers to plan in advance, avoid making journeys during busy periods, and follow radio and TV broadcasts on conditions at control points.

Estimated waiting times of all land boundary control points are also available on the department’s mobile app, which is free of charge and available here.