HKTB releases 2005 Visitor Spending and February 2006 Visitor Arrival Figures

Hong Kong's 2005 tourism expenditure figures show that the Total Expenditure Associated to Inbound Tourism registered a double-digit growth of 14.1% compared with 2004, reaching a total of HK$105.66 billion.

As in previous years, the tourism expenditure figures have been calculated according to methodology recommended by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This covers visitor spending on goods and services while in Hong Kong, including accommodation, shopping, meals, entertainment and transport, as well as receipts by Hong Kong-based carriers for inbound and outbound air, land and sea transportation.

In 2005, almost every market registered increases in total and Per Capita Spending. The average Per Capita Spending of overnight visitors (those staying one night or more) rose by 4.1% to HK$4,663, while that of the same-day in-town visitors grew by 17.6% to HK$810. A key factor leading to the growth of same-day, in-town visitor spending is the higher-than-average spending by consumption visitors from Mainland China, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is continuing to tap the potential of this growing segment, which makes an increasing contribution to Hong Kong’s economy.

Hong Kong's February 2006 visitor numbers exceeded 1.93 million, 10.9% higher than in the same month in 2005; cumulative arrivals for January and February were 4.12 million, a 13.3% increase. While long-haul markets led the way, with Europe, Africa and the Middle East registering a 35.5% (125,379) increase and Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific growing by 24% (40,762), the majority of key market regions also grew in February. Arrivals from South and Southeast Asia recorded a 14.6% (152,886) rise, with the Americas (102,188) and North Asia (155,296) both growing by 14.3%. Mainland China’s 1.14 million visitors represented 9.6% growth, with only Taiwan showing a fall of 2.9% (176,180).

Major individual long-haul markets registering strong growth were France (28.7%), the UK (28.2%), Australia (22.2%), Germany (19.2%), and Canada (15.4%), while the best-performing markets in Asia were Indonesia (30.3%), South Korea (27.9%), Thailand (22.8%), India (14.3%) and Malaysia (13.6%).

2005 Tourism Expenditure

The Total Expenditure Associated to Inbound Tourism grew by 14.1% in 2005 to a new high of HK$105.66 billion.

Per Capita Spending by overnight visitors grew by 4.1% to HK$4,663, while that of same-day in-town visitors increased sharply by 17.6% to HK$810.

Arrivals from the Americas had the highest Per Capita Spending among overnight visitors, at HK$5,477 (a 4.3% increase over 2004), closely followed by Europe, Africa and the Middle East at HK$5,331 (4.1%). Other regional figures were Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific at HK$5,068 (-0.1%), Taiwan at HK$4,916 (2.7%), Mainland China at HK$4,554 (4.6%), South and Southeast Asia at HK$4,377 (0.6%) and North Asia at HK$4,300 (4.6%).

February 2006 Overall Arrival Statistics

Tourism arrivals to Hong Kong numbered 1,934,666 in February, a 10.9% year-on-year increase. Cumulative arrivals for the first two months of 2006 have risen to 4,123,482, 13.3% more than for the same period in 2005.

February 2006 Statistics by Markets

Mainland China provided 1,141,391 arrivals in February, 9.6% more than in the same month in 2005. This raised the cumulative total for January and February to 2,466,279, a year-on-year increase of 17.1%. Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) arrivals in February numbered 574,405, 50.3% of all Mainland visitors and 15.6% more than in the same month in 2005. The cumulative IVS total for January and February now stands at 1,272,355, 51.6% of all arrivals from the Mainland and a 32% rise over 2005.

February arrivals from Taiwan fell by 2.9% to 176,180. Nonetheless, the cumulative total for the first two months of this year grew by 3.8% to 358,645.

South and Southeast Asian arrivals increased by 14.6% to 152,886, raising the total number of visitors from the region in January and February to 321,674, 8% more than for the same months in 2005. The greatest volume among individual markets was provided by Singapore (32,322, +6.4%), followed by the Philippines (31,432, +8.9%), Thailand (26,432, +22.8%) and Malaysia (24,625, +13.6%). 

February arrivals from North Asia reached 155,296 (+14.3%), taking the cumulative two-month total for the region to 317,621, 4% more than in the same months in 2005. Arrivals from Korea increased by 27.9% (59,013), while those from Japan grew by 7.4% (96,283).

All key long-haul regions grew in February, led by the 35.5% (125,379) increase from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Arrivals from Australia, New  Zealand and the South Pacific grew by 24% to 40,762 and from the Americas by 14.3% to 102,188. Cumulative January-February arrivals from each market increased by 19.4% (253,866), 16.3% (98,217) and 5.5% (221,250) respectively.

Same-Day In-Town Visitors

Some 64.3% of all visitors to Hong Kong in February stayed in the city for at least one night, compared with 64.1% in the same month last year. Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific had the highest percentage of overnight arrivals, at 76.4%.

In January and February 2006, 63.4% of all visitors stayed for one night or more, 0.8 of a percentage point lower than in the first two months of 2005.

Hotel Occupancy

Hotel occupancy across all categories of hotels and tourist guest houses in February was 86%, a nine percentage point rise compared with the 2005 figure and in spite of the 4.2% rise in the total room supply during the past 12 months.

Visitors’ most favoured geographic location in February was once again Yau Ma Tei/Mong Kok, where hotels recorded an occupancy rate of 91%.

The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was HK$938, 17.4% higher than in February 2005.

The average hotel occupancy for January-February 2006 is 86%, three percentage points higher than in 2005. The average achieved hotel room rate is HK$983, 15.4% higher than in the first two months of 2005.

See also: Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals in January 2006

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