HONG KONG WELCOMES A RECORD 1.4 MILLION VISITORS IN APRIL

29 May 2002

Continuing the pattern seen since the start of 2002, the strong growth was driven by a surge in the number of visitors from Mainland China. The total number of Mainland arrivals was 525,498, a 64.8% increase compared with April 2001. This is the first time the Mainland - or, indeed, any single market - has contributed more than half-a-million visitors in one month.

Most other markets, however, also showed positive growth in April, with especially encouraging performances from the long-haul markets. Europe, Africa & the Middle East produced 136,970 visitors, a 7.5% increase, while The Americas recorded a 2.4% increase to 128,529, boosted by 11.8% growth from Canada. Arrivals from Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific showed a 3.7% increase to 37,153.

In the short-haul markets, arrivals from North Asia grew 5.5% to 147,653, with South Korea (+19.1%) recording especially strong growth. South & Southeast Asia registered a 4.7% increase to 169,190. One factor helping to boost all the short-haul markets was the staging of several major annual exhibitions during April, including the Asia Pacific Leather Fair, the Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair.

For the first four months of the year to date, total arrivals now stand at 4,996,653, a 14.2% increase on the same period in 2001. Some 38% of the total are arrivals from the Mainland, which is showing 47.9% year-on-year growth.
Announcing the record figures at the International Travel Expo (ITE) press conference today, HKTB Executive Director Clara Chong said that they showed Hong Kong tourism had made remarkable progress since the "dark days" following last September's terrorist attacks in the United States. "April is always one of our peak months, but this performance has topped our best expectations," she said.

"While the 64% increase in Mainland arrivals is, of course, the overriding factor, we are especially encouraged to see positive growth in all three of our long-haul markets," Ms Chong added. "Whether this can be sustained, though, it's a little too early to tell. Reports from these markets suggest many consumers are changing their travel patterns this year by taking shorter vacations, closer to home.

"Overall, we are optimistic of another strong performance in May, boosted by the long public holidays on the Mainland and in Japan earlier this month. Normally June and early July would then be quieter periods. This year, however, we have the HSBC Mega Hong Kong Sale running from mid-June to the end of August, which should prove an attractive lure for summer shoppers," Ms Chong noted. "With more than 2,000 stores and shopping malls participating in this event, we believe it will put Hong Kong firmly back on the map as a Shopping Paradise."

Same-Day Visitors

During April, 37.1% of all visitors left for other destinations on the same day, compared with 36.9% in the same period of 2001 (Note: These figures only include travellers who passed through Hong Kong Immigration, not those who were solely transit passengers). Visitors most likely to stay for one night or longer were those from The Americas (80.9%) and Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific (79.2%). In contrast, only 22.9% of those from Taiwan stayed overnight, as a significant proportion of Taiwan visitors are business people who continue by land to or from destinations in Southern China.

Hotel Occupancy

Average hotel occupancy across all categories was 87% in April, compared with 80% in the same month in 2001. For the first four months of 2002, average occupancy stands at 82% (2001: 78%).

All categories of accommodation achieved greater than 80% occupancy in April, with High Tariff B hotels averaging 90% and Medium Tariff 89%. Those outside the main tourist areas performed especially well, notably in Yau Ma Tei/Mong Kok (91%) and in districts of Hong Kong outside the main Central to Causeway Bay corridor (90%).

While average achieved room rates have increased since the start of 2002, they are still 7.6% below those of a year ago, with Hong Kong hoteliers having to face strongly competitive rates from neighbouring destinations and a growing trend towards last-minute bargain hunting.