Hong Kong draws over 1 million mainland ‘golden week’ visitors but spending lags

Hong Kong welcomed more than 1 million mainland Chinese visitors during their five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, a 10 per cent rise from a year ago, exceeding government expectations, but industry leaders have said their spending was inconsistent.

Immigration Department data showed the city recorded 1.01 million mainland visitor arrivals between May 1 and 5, surpassing the forecast of 980,000.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Wednesday some shopping centre operators had reported year-on-year double-digit increases, while the catering sector noted that business in tourist areas rose by about 20 per cent compared with the same period last year.

He also mentioned that authorities issued advisories and warnings along Sections 1 and 2 of the MacLehose Trail and at designated campsites nearby in Sai Kung, resulting in 19 enforcement cases against offences such as littering and illegal camping outside designated campsites.

The overall hotel occupancy rate reached 90 per cent, slightly higher than last year, while hotel room rates were up by 10 per cent compared with previous long holidays, he said.

Annie Tse Yau On-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, said on Wednesday that tourist consumption only benefited certain industries in traditional tourism districts, such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay.