Mainland Chinese visitor spending to exceed HK$2 billion in Hong Kong during Labour Day ‘golden week’ break, tourism chief says
- Tourism minister Kevin Yeung says about 670,000 mainlanders came to city over first four days of Labour Day break
- Arrival numbers roughly in line with government expectations so far despite poor weather and lukewarm response to fireworks display on first day
Spending by mainland Chinese visitors is expected to exceed HK$2 billion (US$256 million) in Hong Kong during the Labour Day “golden week” break as arrival numbers fall in line with original estimates despite the recent stormy weather, the tourism chief has said.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Sunday about 670,000 mainlanders crossed into the city between Wednesday and Saturday last week, the first four days of the break running from May 1 to 5 on the mainland.
The figure was 19 per cent more than the 560,948 trips recorded in the first four days of the corresponding golden week last year.
“It is close to our expectation of 800,000 mainland tourists. Considering the weather in Hong Kong, we have done a great job,” Yeung told a radio show, noting the heavy rainfall on both sides of the border might have delayed some travellers.
He said the final figure could exceed 700,000, as more tourists might come on Sunday as the weather improved.
“I believe they will spend over HK$2 billion in Hong Kong … It will bring some help to our economy,” he said.