Hong Kong seeks to reverse slide in mainland visitors

A rule limiting visitors from Shenzhen to one trip a week has added momentum to a dive in Hong Kong's visitor numbers - with merchants calling for a review of the measure as the government readies a marketing makeover.

Tour-related incidents and politically motivated protests - culminating in a riot during Chinese New Year - have sent visitor numbers from Hong Kong's key source of tourists plummeting for months.

Inbound mainland visitor figures have decreased by 3 percent year-on-year in 2015, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.