If you are planning a trip to Hong Kong, expect costlier hotels and flights, as Hong Kong authorities are reintroducing the Hotel Accommodation Tax (HAT) and imposing a surcharge on airfare in 2025. To boost government revenue and support the tourism industry, an extra 3 percent will be added to all hotel bookings, and flights will see an HKD 10 increase.
Hong Kong’s hotel tax was waived in 2008 and will be reinstated after over a decade.
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All you need to know about Hong Kong’s hotel tax in 2025
Hong Kong Airport will charge an additional HKD 10 for the fee increase under the Passenger Security Charge. From January 1, 2025, the fees will increase from HKD 55 to HKD 65, approximately 18 percent. They are expected to increase to HKD 27 by 2027. The fees will fund upgrades to the airport’s security systems and facilities.
The Hotel Accommodation Tax is 3 percent levied by the hotel or guest house and does not include a service charge.
It is collected by online booking platforms on behalf of hotels or paid separately upon check-in. The average rate for a five-star hotel is HKD 2,350 per night, and travellers will have to pay an extra HKD 70 per night. The standard room and guest house cost about HKD 500 per night, which means an additional HKD 15.
The tax does not cover accommodation of less than 10 rooms or not-for-profit lodgings. It will not be imposed for travellers staying in the same hotel for 28 consecutive days or more.
The tax is predicted to generate approximately HKD 1.1 billion annually, and it is expected to increase the traveller’s trip expenditure by approximately 1 percent. Hong Kong Tourism Board revealed that other destinations impose higher taxes, such as Singapore’s combined 19 percent, Thailand’s 17 percent, and South Korea’s 10 percent, on hotels.
(Feature image credit: Andrew Jephson/Unsplash)
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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Digital Writer – Growth, Travel
Priyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism ..Read More
