Business News

Feb 26, 2009, 9:20 GMT

Mainland Chinese visitors boost Hong Kong tourism figures

Hong Kong - Hong Kong appeared to buck tourism trends worldwide by recording an 11 per cent increase in visitor numbers in January, official figures released Thursday showed. Almost 2.8 million people visited the former British colony in January compared to 2.5 million in January 2008, according the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). However, more than two thirds of these came from mainland China and more than 40 per cent did not stay overnight. Visitors from the US dropped from 152,900 to 114,427 in the same time period, a fall of 26 per cent and a sign that the global economic downturn was affecting tourism. Similar falls were recorded in visitors from Europe, Africa and the Middle East which dropped 24 per cent, while numbers from North Asia fell by 30 per cent. Only visitors from China and the neighbouring Macau increased. In January, mainland visitors accounted for 1.9 million - or 67 per cent - of the total. Hong Kong's visitor arrivals have rocketed since the easing of cross-border travel restrictions by China in 2003, allowing millions more Chinese people to visit the former British colony. The Hong Kong statistics include same-day visitors from southern China and also those who clear immigration but do not stay overnight, meaning millions who transit the city between Taiwan and China are included in the total.

And Also

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups - PopEater
Serious SQL flaw exposed on INCA Internet portal - The Tech Herald
Alec Baldwin Says He's Quitting Acting - Cinema Blend
Katie Holmes: Suri 'Loves' High Heels - PopEater
A&E series 'Hoarders' and 'Intervention' premiere Monday, Nov. 30th, preview

Your Talkback on this Story

Similar articles

Hong Kong visitor numbers rise as economy improves
(eca 018): World's tallest hotel to open with 118th-floor views of Hong Kong
(eca 018): World's tallest hotel to open with 118th-floor views of Hong Kong
World's tallest hotel to open with 118th-floor views of Hong Kong
Hong Kong plans sporting events, record attempt to lure tourists

Latest Headlines in Business

Older Talkback

Business: Index

: News; Features; Currency Conversion

Latest Pics

From Sites we Like

"Teen stabbed in Anaconda." Ouch [Scary]
For the last time, people - if you're going to rob the Wendy's drive-thru, make sure your mom isn't working that night [Dumbass]

More Not News from Fark

In Monsters and Critics

: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Lifestyle; Movies; Music; News; People; Science & Nature; Sport; TV; Archives
Other Languages and Sites: Deutschland (Monsters and Critics); The Tech Herald; Free Games

Entertainment: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Movies; Music; People; Soundtracks; TV
Media: Celebrity Photos; Movie Pictures; Movie Trailers; Movie Posters; Theatre Stills; Celebrity Video; Music Video
Released this week: Movies - USA; Movies - UK; DVD - USA
Distractions: Online Games; Daily Crossword; Sudoku Classic; Daily Jigsaw

World News: US; UK; Americas; Europe; Middle East; Asia Pacific; South Asia; Africa; Business; Education; Health
Science and Tech: Science and Nature; Technology
Lifestyle: Autos; Fashion; Life; Travel

Corporate

: About; Advertise; Contact; The Team; Vacancies; Privacy; RSS; Site Map; Terms; Webmasters

The Fine Print

© 2003 - 2009 by Monsters and Critics.com, WotR Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All photos are copyright their respective owners and are used under license or with permission. * Note M&C cannot be held responsible for the content on other Web Sites.

Servers supplied by Servint