More Chinese tourists are expected to visit Hong Kong in the coming year, filling the vacuum left by other visitor groups due to the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
However, some industry players are concerned the SAR may not have enough budget hotels for mainland travellers, who usually spend less on accommodation.
At a tourism conference earlier this month, Ellen Kwan Gee-hing, tourism and convention marketing general manager at Hong Kong Tourist Association, cited a post-attack survey by the US-based Travel Industry Association as pointing out that only 22 per cent of people in the US believed it was safe to travel outside the country.
European companies as a whole had cut back on travel by 16 per cent to 20 per cent, said Ms Kwan, quoting a survey by Europe-based Corporate Association of Travel Executives.
'China is the least affected in both political and economic terms,' she said, pointing to the proposed immigration relaxation measures unveiled by Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in his Policy Address on October 3.
Under the measures, the SAR Government will abolish the daily quota of 1,500 mainland tourists and extend mainlanders' multiple-entry visa from six months to three years with 14-day stays.
