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Hong Kong boosts inspections of overnight internet cafes amid guesthouse fears
Across East Asia, internet cafes have expanded services while China’s industry grew, with 2025 outlets up 12.7% to 122,600 and revenue above 101.7 billion yuan, according to the Internet Access Service Association of China.
South China Morning Post reports Hong Kong authorities have increased inspections of internet cafes that began offering overnight packages, including private booths, showers and laundry facilities, as regulators weigh fire-safety concerns and whether some venues function as unlicensed guest houses.
The outlet frames the crackdown as part of a broader regional shift, noting that internet cafes were once expected to disappear but instead have reinvented themselves across East Asia.
In mainland China, some cafes now offer amenities such as reclining chairs, washing machines and inexpensive meals, while in Hong Kong mainland chains are opening branches that market overnight options for travelers seeking alternatives to costly hotels, the report says.
SCMP also cites figures from the Internet Access Service Association of China showing the number of internet cafes rose 12.7% to 122,600 last year, and that industry revenue exceeded 101.7 billion yuan, reflecting the sector’s surprising comeback amid economic headwinds.