HK tourism recovering – slowly

According to figures released recently by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), 2,378,298 tourists came through town in July, a drop of some 12.2% when compared to the same period last year.

But there were slight market improvements, year-on-year, from North America (up 1.2%), Europe, Africa and the Middle East (all up 2.2%).

Visitors crossing into town from mainland China – Hongkong’s biggest market – fell 13.7% to just over 1.4 million, when compared to the same time last year.

There were just over 16 million visitors through town for the first seven months of the year, a drop of 4.9% from the same period in 2008.

Hongkong – like all other destinations in Asia – has been hit hard by the onset of influenza A(H1N1) epedemic and the decline in the world’s economic fortunes over the past 12 months.

The government has been trying to stimulate interest in the city by declaring 2009 Food and Wine Year, with a year-long series of events culminating in a citywide Wine and Dine Festival (http://www.discoverhongkong.com) from Oct 30 to Nov 8.

Tourism officials have said one of the problems they are facing this year is the fact that tourists are choosing to travel closer to home, and limiting their stays when they do travel.

The latest figures released by the HKTB claim 56.7% of all visitors to the city in July stayed at least one night, down 2.9% from last year, while the remainder were there for one day – or just passing through to other destinations. – AFP-Relaxnews