Despite promotions, Lunar New Year business is down 10pc
The tourism industry in Hong Kong has seen a 10 per cent drop in Lunar New Year takings as a result of the tsunami.
The chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, Michael Wu Siu-ieng, said the disaster had led to a 3 to 5 per cent decrease in outbound travellers.
But revenue was down more because some travellers were opting for cheaper short-haul holidays.
The number of tourists going to Phuket has slumped by more than 50 per cent, and by 20 per cent to Bangkok.
'It should be fine to travel to those places as it has been weeks since the tsunami struck, tourism facilities remain more or less intact and there haven't been many reports of health and hygiene problems,' Mr Wu said
'But the thing is, Chinese people regard going to places where a lot of people have died as taboo, especially during the Chinese New Year.'