Statistics

HK visitor arrivals hit record high in Q1

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-04 09:17

HONG KONG - Visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the first quarter of 2010 leaped by 16.5 percent to 8,624,688, making it the highest figure for the first quarter ever, said the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) on Monday.

Also setting a new record is the visitor arrivals of March 2010, which amounted to 2,798,316. The figure represented not only a year-on-year increase of 14.4 percent, but also a new record for March.

In the first quarter, Chinese mainland was the best performing market region, with a 18.7 percent rise over the same period of 2009. The rise was mainly attributed to the multiple-journey Individual Visit Endorsement by the Mainland, which gives neighboring Shenzhen residents even greater convenience in visiting Hong Kong.

James Tien, Chairman of the HKTB, said the continued increase in visitor arrivals in March has culminated in a record high for the first quarter of 2010, with most market regions showing double-digit growth. All these positive trends are evidence of the improving confidence and sentiments to travel among global consumers, as the economic conditions rebound, he said.

"We will intensify our promotions during the peak summer travel season, so that we can sustain the growth trend into the second quarter and drive further increase in visitor arrivals," said Tien.