Close to 170 mainland Chinese motorists are expected to arrive in Hong Kong under the expanded Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, bringing targeted economic packages from local hotels and retailers. The cross-border travel framework officially broadened its reach to five additional mainland cities on Saturday, doubling the daily quota for urban trips to 200.
Expanded Greater Bay Area Eligibility and Quotas
The travel initiative now incorporates nine mainland cities across the Greater Bay Area, adding Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, Huizhou, and Zhaoqing to the original four urban centers of Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, and Zhongshan, according to Transport and Logistics Bureau figures. Under the revised terms, the daily quota for participating motorists doubled from previous limits to accommodate the surge in regional traffic crossing via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan noted at the launch ceremony at the Hong Kong port that transport authorities received three times as many applications as the available quota. “The response has been very encouraging,” Chan said during the official rollout, adding that 60 percent of total applications originated from the five newly added municipalities.
Hospitality and Retail Sector Responses
In anticipation of the weekend arrivals, Hong Kong hotels and commercial districts launched specialized packages covering accommodation, dining, shopping, and parking to capture spending from the incoming motorists.
The cross-border transport scheme operates alongside existing infrastructure links designed to integrate regional transit networks within the Greater Bay Area. Motorists participating in the program must secure approved documentation and vehicle permits prior to making the cross-boundary journey into urban Hong Kong districts.