Tourist arrivals from China continue to grow in Hong Kong, but are expected to drop dramatically over Golden Week due to concerns over public unrest.
Although a report by JLL revealed a year-on-year increase of 12.8 percent in July, industry insiders predict of a drop of 20 to 30 percent in the week starting Oct. 1, the day pro-democracy group Occupy Central has hinted that its programme of civil disobedience may begin.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Inbound Tour Association, Ricky Tse, told the Economic Journal that only half of the usual tours groups from the mainland have been booked so far. This was backed up by Michael Li, the executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, who predicted 100 fewer mainland tour groups in the city compared to previous years.
Although space-hungry Hongkongers may see this as a blessing, it’s not such great news for the local economy.
Kowloon Watch Co. managing director Wong Kam-shing said he expects mainland tourists to spend only between HKD1,000 and HKD3,000 each, compared to up to HKD15,000 in previous years. Aw, diddums!
Photo: Coconuts HK
