Less-than-golden week points to need for new attractions

The excited expectations of the retail and tourism sectors over the influx of mainland visitors during Labour Day 'golden week' have been dashed.

Despite the government's forecast that about 420,000 mainlanders would visit Hong Kong, Immigration Department data shows that golden week attracted only about 286,000 mainlanders over six days, compared to 295,000 last year.

Hong Kong's tourism-related industries have benefited greatly since the launch of the individual visitor scheme on the mainland, with these visitors considered the remedy for the retail industry.

But it may be over-optimistic to assume the attractiveness of Hong Kong will last. Over the past two years, Hong Kong was still a new and exciting place for most mainland visitors, but its attractiveness will inevitably drop once people have been here.

And while fewer visitors are coming to Hong Kong, a higher-than-expected number of holidaymakers are signing up for tours on the mainland.

The attractiveness of Hong Kong is jeopardised by negative factors such as Disneyland's chaotic tickets arrangement over Lunar New Year, and increased reports of rip-offs and dishonesty. Highly volatile and expensive hotel rates during peak seasons also deter visitors from the mainland.

Instead of making optimistic predictions, the government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board should focus on tackling these problems.