HKTB Forecasts Visitor Arrivals During CNY Period

In response to recent enquiries about the projected visitor arrivals during the Chinese New Year Golden Week (Lunar New Year’s Eve to Day 6 of the Lunar New Year), Mr Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, “The Hong Kong Tourism Board projects that the total visitor arrivals during the Chinese New Year Golden Week will increase by approximately 10% over that of the equivalent period in 2009. To date, feedback from our travel trade partners in Hong Kong and Mainland Chan shows that the sale of Hong Kong tour products for the Chinese New Year period is going quite well, while there have been satisfactory hotel bookings.

“Last year, despite the impact of the global financial crisis, arrivals from the Mainland grew by 5% during the Chinese New Year Golden Week. We do hope we can sustain the positive result this year. With the implementation of measures that facilitate eligible non-Guangdong residents in Shenzhen to apply for endorsement under the Individual Visit Scheme and permanent Shenzhen residents to apply for one-year multiple-entry endorsement to Hong Kong, we believe more Mainland visitors will be encouraged to come spend their Lunar New Year holidays. As for the Southeast Asian and long-haul markets, we expect there will also be increase in arrivals, given the gradual improvement of the economy.

“We will closely monitor the market conditions, such as whether the recent adverse weather conditions will affect the propensity of Mainland visitors to come to Hong Kong, particularly those from southern China. We will also collaborate with the travel trade, so that visitors can fully experience the excitement and vibrant celebrations in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year.”

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, Chinese New Year, Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals, Hong Kong