Lack of interest in post-handover Hong Kong has been blamed for the return of hundreds of Rugby Sevens tickets spurned by overseas sports fans.
Organisers said yesterday international tickets sales were 10 to 15 per cent lower than usual, with sales in Britain, Australia and New Zealand particularly badly hit.
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union commercial director David Roberts said the return of unused tickets from abroad meant the number of adult tickets available locally had been raised from 7,000 to 8,500.
'It is just post-handover blues,' he said. 'We noticed ever since July to August, when tickets first went on sale, that the downturn had occurred.
'Moreover, when they were first put on sale the airline and hotel prices were still very extreme.' Organisers believe local demand and new markets will help make up the shortfall in sales for the event, which had to find a new sponsor at the last minute following the collapse of Peregrine.
It is hoped mainland fans would this year attend the Sevens for the first time, to support the China national side as it makes its debut in the competition.