More mainland visitors are expected to come to Hong Kong this week following the shortening of the Labour Day 'golden week' holiday to three days, according to Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung.
The Immigration Department said yesterday the number of cross-border passengers leaving and coming to Hong Kong during the Labour Day holiday period was expected to be 12 per cent up on last year.
The Labour Day 'golden week' holiday has been cut to one day in the list of public holidays on the mainland this year, forming a mini 'golden week' between May 1 and 3.
'The new holiday arrangement is actually beneficial to Hong Kong,' Mr Tung said.
'Mainlanders cannot do long trips, as they cannot afford to spend a lot of time travelling, so they will come to Hong Kong for the holidays, especially those who live in the Pearl River Delta.'
He also cited the weak Hong Kong dollar as another factor luring mainland tourists to the city.