Mainland Chinese Arrivals Beat Hong Kong’s Full-Holiday Forecast in Just Six Days

Hong Kong recorded 1.3 million mainland visitor arrivals in the first six days of the week-long National Day “golden week” break, exceeding the government’s forecast for the entire holiday.

Immigration Department figures put the increase at 11.6 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The reported total was also higher than the government’s full-holiday estimate of 1.29 million arrivals, despite covering only the opening six days.

Because the count was recorded over the first six days, it surpassed a forecast covering the entire holiday period before the break had concluded.

Shopping centres and hotels report brisk trade

Major shopping centres and hotel operators reported brisk business as mainland arrivals rose during the holiday period.

Echo Huang Shaomei, executive director and CEO of New World Development, said footfall at the group’s flagship K11 Musea mall reached a record for a National Day golden week holiday.

She said tourist spending rose by 26 per cent year on year, providing a spending measure alongside the arrival figures.

Jewellery and watches remain popular

Huang said jewellery and watches remained popular with mainland visitors.

She also cited one transaction worth nearly HK$2 million (US$254,846).

The transaction was included in the account of visitor spending as major shopping centres and hotel operators reported brisk holiday business.

Source: South China Morning Post