Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals for October 2005

Hong Kong welcomed 2.14 million visitors in October 2005, a 6.4% increase in arrivals over the same month in 2004. This sets a new record for visitor arrivals in a single month, and raises cumulative arrivals for January-October 2005 to 19,098,986, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%

While long-haul markets continued to lead the way, with Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific increasing by 21.9% (58,358 visitors) and Europe, Africa and the Middle East showing a rise of 17.7% (205,177), many short-haul markets in South and Southeast Asia (12.9%, 219,141) also performed strongly. All other regional markets showed arrivals increases: Taiwan (7.4%, 193,622), the Americas (4.6%, 161,070), Mainland China (3.3%, 1,115,023) and North Asia (2.8%, 151,420). Individual markets registering double-digit growth were Indonesia (21.7%), Australia (21.4%), the Philippines (17.7%), South Korea (17.2%), Thailand (16.7%), India (13.9%), Germany (13.4%), Singapore (13.1%) and the United Kingdom (10%). 

“The growth in arrivals from long-haul and regional markets reflects the importance we place in managing our visitor portfolio,” said Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Executive Director Clara Chong. “While we appreciate the increasing global presence of Mainland China will continue to feed arrivals to Hong Kong, we’re strongly capitalising on new sources of visitors, such as Italy, the Netherlands and Israel. As a result of these promotional activities around the world, we’re on track to reach our targeted 23 million visitors by the end of this year.

“Although the outlook for tourism continues to be positive, we’re closely monitoring a number of factors – such as avian flu and rising fuel costs – that might affect our projections. Our overseas offices are constantly tracking the sentiments of consumers and trade, and keeping us appraised of any changes in the situation.”

In the meantime, the HKTB will continue its heavy promotion of Hong Kong through December and into the New Year, with 2005 Hong Kong WinterFest. This popular Mega Event will also serve as a prelude to the full launch of the 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year integrated global campaign, which has already been rolled out to long-haul consumers, and will be unveiled in short-haul markets shortly.

Statistics by Markets

Mainland China provided 1,115,023 arrivals in October, 3.3% more than in the same month in 2004. This took the cumulative 2005 total for January to October past the 10 million mark to 10,292,466, a year-on-year increase of 2.3%. Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) arrivals in October numbered 509,088, 45.7% of all Mainland visitors and 15.6% more than in the same month in 2004. The cumulative IVS total for January-October now stands at more than 4.56 million, 44.4% of all arrivals from the Mainland and a 34.3% rise over 2004. 

October arrivals from Taiwan grew by 7.4% to 193,622. This took the cumulative total for first 10 months of 2005 to 1,782,919 (+3.3%).

South and Southeast Asian arrivals increased by 12.9% to 219,141, raising the total number of visitors from the region between January and October to 1,880,178, 17.2% more than in the same months in 2004. The greatest volume among individual markets was provided by Singapore (42,535, +13.1%), followed by the Philippines (40,207, +17.7%), Thailand (40,198, +16.7%), Malaysia (31,325, +9.8%) and India (28,203, +13.9%). 

October arrivals from North Asia reached 151,420 (+2.8%), taking the cumulative 10-month total for the region to 1,510,394, 14% more than in 2004. Arrivals from South Korea increased by 17.2% (57,183), although those from Japan showed a decrease of 4.4% (94,237).

All key long-haul regions grew in October, led by the 21.9% (58,358) increase from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Arrivals from Europe, Africa and the Middle East grew by 17.7% to 205,177 and from the Americas by 4.6% to 161,070. Cumulative January-October arrivals from each market increased by 31.6% (510,980), 25.6% (1,427,373) and 12.5% (1,284,485) respectively.

Same-Day In-Town Visitors

Some 62.6% of all visitors to Hong Kong in October stayed in the city for at least one night, compared with 60% in the same month last year. Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific had the highest percentage of overnight arrivals, at 78.1%.

Between January and October 2005, 63% of all visitors stayed for one night or more, half a percentage point higher than in the first 10 months of 2004.

Hotel Occupancy

Hotel occupancy across all categories of hotels and tourist guest houses in October was 88%, a one percentage-point fall compared with the 2004 figure. This partially reflects the 6.2% increase in Hong Kong’s room supply during the past 12 months.

Visitors’ most favoured geographic locations in October were Yau Ma Tei / Mong Kok, where hotels recorded an occupancy rate of 93%.

The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was HK$963, 9.4% higher than in October 2004.

The average hotel occupancy for January-October 2005 is 84%, two percentage points lower than in 2004. The average achieved hotel room rate is HK$756, 14.1% higher than in the first 10 months of 2004.

See also: Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals for September 2005

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