Record number of arrivals in November
Visitor arrivals in Hong Kong continued to soar last month, when 1.95 million people travelled to the city - a record for November.
Releasing the latest figures yesterday, the Tourism Board said last month's figure had topped the previous record, made last year, by 15.8 per cent.
'In total, Hong Kong welcomed 19.7 million [visitors] in the first 11 months of the year, a 43.5 per cent increase on the same period in 2003,' the board said. It added that this year's arrivals would top the board's earlier estimates of 21.3 million.
On December 5, the 20 million-mark was reached when Dutch visitor Barbara Wallerbosch arrived at Chek Lap Kok.
'It now looks certain that the total arrivals for 2004 will surpass the Hong Kong Tourism Board's target of 21.36 million,' the board said, adding that it believed the number of arrivals in December would surpass those in November.
But the board's executive director, Clara Chong Ming-wah, said the aftermath of the Asian tsunami would have a short- to medium-term impact on Hong Kong's continued arrivals growth.
'Many of the resorts affected are popular partner destinations of Hong Kong and we are deeply saddened by the heavy loss of life there,' she said.
'There will understandably be some immediate postponements of vacations in the region, but it is too early to assess the longer-term implications.
'Through our worldwide offices and trade partner network, we are now closely monitoring customer feedback.'
