Hong Kong losing allure for mainland tourists as popularity of Japan and France soar

Hong Kong's unwelcoming attitude has been highlighted as one reason why it is becoming a less attractive destination for mainland tourists as they head to Japan, France, South Korea and Britain instead.

While Hong Kong, Thailand and Macau were the three most popular destinations for mainlanders over the past three years, a report predicts that they will embrace new favourites in northern Asia and western Europe.

"Our forecast implies only a 4 per cent visitor compound annual growth rate to Hong Kong over 2013 to 2020, versus 14 per cent for other destinations," said Aaron Fischer, regional head of consumer research at CLSA. The company cut last year's forecast for the number of mainland visitor arrivals to the city in 2020 by 10 per cent, to 52.3 million.

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Using a five-point assessment system of hotels, dining, attractions, accessibility and shopping, Japan, France, South Korea and Britain emerged as the four most attractive destinations for mainland visitors.

With a weaker yen, the number of mainlanders going to Japan was expected to multiply by seven, from 1.3 million in 2013 to 8.9 million in 2020. France would see a 500 per cent rise, while South Korea, the US and Italy can expect arrivals to triple.

Hong Kong, which ranks fifth in overall attractiveness, still has its appeal. But future growth would be limited by a lack of hotel rooms and an unwelcoming attitude over the influx of tourists, says the report. The strengthening US dollar - which the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to - against the yuan also makes it a more expensive destination.

Nearly four out of 10 of the 400 mainland travellers questioned by CLSA said the Occupy protests had had an unspecified impact on whether they would travel to Hong Kong. Fischer said this could affect numbers during the coming Lunar New Year.