Figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Tuesday reveal that the city enjoyed a moderate increase in tourist spending last year, helped by a massive influx of visitors from the mainland, in a rebound from the global economic recession. HKTB Chairman James Tien noted the key driver of the increase is the greater number of mainland visitors and their high spending, as led by the mainland's robust economic growth and the

implementation of the measures allowing Shenzhen residents to visit Hong Kong by multiple entry endorsement since last April. "Indeed, mainland visitors have become the highest spenders among all markets, contributing HK$83.47 billion or about 70 percent of our total visitor spending," Tien said. "There was decline in visitors' spending in other market regions as a result of the global economic downturn," he added. The HKTB figures reveal an increasing trend toward same-day visitors who tend to make brief

stops in the city to go shopping, before or after visiting the mainland or other destinations. Those figures showed the per capita spending of same-day intown visitors from most regionsenjoyed double-digit year-onyear growth in 2009. On average spending soared by 20 percent to HK$1,798 per capita. On the other hand, per capita spending of overnight visitors recorded declines or no significant increase from most regions except the mainland. Overnight visitors from the mainland increased

their spending by 16.6 percent, pulling up the average spending to HK$5,770 per capita. The per capita spending of cruise-in/cruise-out passengers continued to grow markedly in 2009, increasing by 28.8 percent. Overall, the total expenditure associated with inbound tourism showed an increase over 2008 of 3.2 percent, for a total of HK$162.89 billion in 2009, in spite of the global economic downturn. Overnight visitors spent HK$97,663 million and same-day visitors spent HK$22,690 million. Tien called the numbers "highly encouraging", given the challenging environment last year. Tien believes the overall

situation will improve in 2010, along with the continued recovery of the global economy and better travel sentiments in major source markets. A further boost to the total tourism receipts is expected this year, he said.

In term of spending category, shopping continued to be the largest share of spending among both overnight (63.6 percent) and same-day (88.4 percent)

visitors. The proportion was even higher for overnight and

same-day visitors from the mainland, reaching 76.3 percent and 91.4 percent, respectively. The total spending on shopping has increased by 17.3 percent to HK$82.12 billion. But both overnight and sameday visitors tended to spend less in hotel bills, which decreased significantly by 20.4 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.

CHINA DAILY

(HK Edition 04/28/2010 page1)