The Golden Bauhinia Square, billed as a must-see for tourists, was quiet this 'golden week' after last October's, when it was packed with mainland visitors.
Under the Golden Bauhinia statue in Wan Chai yesterday, there were only a few dozen tourists and the nearby parking area for tour buses was half-empty, disappointing the many photographers who take pictures for tourists
Lam Man, who has run a photography business for two years, complained that the 'golden week' was not 'golden' any more.
'I remembered October's 'golden week' in 2004 and 2005. The square was so packed that even an ant could not get in,' he said. 'But today, several photographers have to chase one client, since there are so few tourists.'
Another photographer, Tsui Chung-ping, said there were fewer mainland tourists in May's 'golden week'.
Some tourists complained that the city's soaring hotel room rates had prevented them from staying longer.