Retail in Asia

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“Golden week” in Hong Kong: Tourists number up, retail down

The ongoing “golden week” holiday has seen surprisingly strong growth in mainland tourist numbers since it kicked off last Saturday, with visitor numbers jumping more than 14.1 per cent on the first day, according to the Immigration Department.

Industry insiders said the growth was mainly due to visitors from the neighbouring Guangdong province, as cheaper hotel rooms and convenient travel had made Hong Kong a bargain choice for the long weekend from April 30 to May 2.

Government statistics showed more than 200,000 visitors arrived on the first day of the national holiday, a jump from the 177,000 recorded last year. Overall visitors also soared 9.1 per cent to 254,000.

Mainland travellers who crossed the border on the “L visa” dropped 5 per cent on the first day of the holiday, while the category including family visitors and Shenzhen residents jumped more than 40 per cent.

However, retailers in the city’s key shopping areas did not seem to be enjoying the vacation.