Millions to travel during National Day and Chung Yeung
holiday period (With photo)
******************************************************* An estimated 7.3 million people will travel in and out of Hong Kong via land, sea and air checkpoints during the coming National Day and Chung Yeung holidays, up 19% on the same period last year.
Mr Simon Peh, Assistant Director of the Immigration Department, said at a joint press conference with the Shenzhen Frontier Inspection today (September 26) that there would be about 5.6 million travellers passing through the land boundary checkpoints, an increase of 19% over the same period last year. It is estimated that 910,000 will pass through the Hong Kong International Airport, an increase of 13% over last year, while 820,000 will make use of the China Ferry Terminal and Macau Ferry Terminal, an increase of 24% over last year.
Mr Peh said that the peak period for cross-boundary traffic during the National Day and Chung Yeung period would be from September 30 to October 11. It is estimated that 3.6 million passengers (an average of 300,000 daily) will travel via Lo Wu control point, representing 65% of total estimated cross-boundary passenger traffic and an increase of 16.5% over the corresponding period last year. As for the Lok Ma Chau control point, there would be about 1.6 million passengers (an average of 134,000), up 24% on last year.
The number of departing passengers using the land boundary checkpoints for the Mainland may reach a peak of 280,000 on September 30, while the peak of arrivals will be on October 2, with 330,000 people returning to Hong Kong. The highest daily traffic is expected to reach 530,000 on October 1 (National Day).
It is estimated that over 70% of the Mainland visitors will enter Hong Kong through the land boundary checkpoints and that their arrivals will peak on October 1 and 2.
October 11 is Chung Yeung Festival, which is another "Golden Holiday" when Hong Kong residents like to travel. It is estimated that about 1.9 million passengers will pass through the land boundary crossing points from October 8 to 11.
To cope with the extra demand, the Immigration Department has arranged for 250 extra officers to be placed at the boundary, sea and air checkpoints during the festive period through internal deployment. Among them, 184 officers will be deployed to various land boundary control points.
The Immigration Department and the Shenzhen authorities will also strengthen their co-operation and liaison to ensure smooth and orderly movement across the boundary. If necessary, Lo Wu checkpoint will implement the Contra-Flow Scheme to relieve congestion. Lok Ma Chau control point will use immigration counters flexibly to cope with the heavy traffic.
The operators have also been asked to provide advance information on tour groups and are urged to observe the relevant requirements in furnishing the group list. To avoid congestion at the Lok Ma Chau control point, Mr Simon Peh appealed to the tour operators and visitors to use Lo Wu control point, which has more capacity to handle visitors. It is expected that the peak arrival and departure periods will be in the morning and at night respectively during the holidays, and passengers are advised to avoid crossing the border during these periods to reduce congestion.
Moreover, Mr Simon Peh advised residents of the Pearl River Delta and business travellers on same-day transit to other countries to make use of the Skypier for ferry transfer services.
In addition, the Immigration Department, the Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department, the Transport Department, the KCRC and the Shenzhen authorities have formed a Joint Command Centre at Lo Wu control point. The parties have drawn up contingency measures to handle any untoward incidents and will oversee traffic conditions during the festive period.
The Immigration Department will upload daily arrival statistics on its website, http://www.immd.gov.hk for visitors' reference during the festive period.
Passengers bound for the Mainland should be careful with their personal belongings and avoid carrying over-sized luggage, the department said. They are also reminded to bring along their identity cards and valid travel documents required for travel to the Mainland.
Those in the process of having their identity cards replaced and holding an acknowledgment receipt should bring along a valid travel document. Children under 11 years of age who hold Hong Kong identity cards should carry a valid travel document such as their passport or Re-entry Permit.
Those holding non machine-readable multiple Re-entry Permits issued before December 17, 2001, are advised to apply early for a free add-on machine-readable label, to shorten their immigration clearance time. Application forms are available at the Information and Liaison Section at Immigration Headquarters, six Immigration Branch Offices, District Offices and main Post Offices or can be downloaded from the Immigration Department homepage, http://www.immd.gov.hk.
holiday period (With photo)
******************************************************* An estimated 7.3 million people will travel in and out of Hong Kong via land, sea and air checkpoints during the coming National Day and Chung Yeung holidays, up 19% on the same period last year.
Mr Simon Peh, Assistant Director of the Immigration Department, said at a joint press conference with the Shenzhen Frontier Inspection today (September 26) that there would be about 5.6 million travellers passing through the land boundary checkpoints, an increase of 19% over the same period last year. It is estimated that 910,000 will pass through the Hong Kong International Airport, an increase of 13% over last year, while 820,000 will make use of the China Ferry Terminal and Macau Ferry Terminal, an increase of 24% over last year.
Mr Peh said that the peak period for cross-boundary traffic during the National Day and Chung Yeung period would be from September 30 to October 11. It is estimated that 3.6 million passengers (an average of 300,000 daily) will travel via Lo Wu control point, representing 65% of total estimated cross-boundary passenger traffic and an increase of 16.5% over the corresponding period last year. As for the Lok Ma Chau control point, there would be about 1.6 million passengers (an average of 134,000), up 24% on last year.
The number of departing passengers using the land boundary checkpoints for the Mainland may reach a peak of 280,000 on September 30, while the peak of arrivals will be on October 2, with 330,000 people returning to Hong Kong. The highest daily traffic is expected to reach 530,000 on October 1 (National Day).
It is estimated that over 70% of the Mainland visitors will enter Hong Kong through the land boundary checkpoints and that their arrivals will peak on October 1 and 2.
October 11 is Chung Yeung Festival, which is another "Golden Holiday" when Hong Kong residents like to travel. It is estimated that about 1.9 million passengers will pass through the land boundary crossing points from October 8 to 11.
To cope with the extra demand, the Immigration Department has arranged for 250 extra officers to be placed at the boundary, sea and air checkpoints during the festive period through internal deployment. Among them, 184 officers will be deployed to various land boundary control points.
The Immigration Department and the Shenzhen authorities will also strengthen their co-operation and liaison to ensure smooth and orderly movement across the boundary. If necessary, Lo Wu checkpoint will implement the Contra-Flow Scheme to relieve congestion. Lok Ma Chau control point will use immigration counters flexibly to cope with the heavy traffic.
The operators have also been asked to provide advance information on tour groups and are urged to observe the relevant requirements in furnishing the group list. To avoid congestion at the Lok Ma Chau control point, Mr Simon Peh appealed to the tour operators and visitors to use Lo Wu control point, which has more capacity to handle visitors. It is expected that the peak arrival and departure periods will be in the morning and at night respectively during the holidays, and passengers are advised to avoid crossing the border during these periods to reduce congestion.
Moreover, Mr Simon Peh advised residents of the Pearl River Delta and business travellers on same-day transit to other countries to make use of the Skypier for ferry transfer services.
In addition, the Immigration Department, the Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department, the Transport Department, the KCRC and the Shenzhen authorities have formed a Joint Command Centre at Lo Wu control point. The parties have drawn up contingency measures to handle any untoward incidents and will oversee traffic conditions during the festive period.
The Immigration Department will upload daily arrival statistics on its website, http://www.immd.gov.hk for visitors' reference during the festive period.
Passengers bound for the Mainland should be careful with their personal belongings and avoid carrying over-sized luggage, the department said. They are also reminded to bring along their identity cards and valid travel documents required for travel to the Mainland.
Those in the process of having their identity cards replaced and holding an acknowledgment receipt should bring along a valid travel document. Children under 11 years of age who hold Hong Kong identity cards should carry a valid travel document such as their passport or Re-entry Permit.
Those holding non machine-readable multiple Re-entry Permits issued before December 17, 2001, are advised to apply early for a free add-on machine-readable label, to shorten their immigration clearance time. Application forms are available at the Information and Liaison Section at Immigration Headquarters, six Immigration Branch Offices, District Offices and main Post Offices or can be downloaded from the Immigration Department homepage, http://www.immd.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, September 26, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:52
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