Hong Kong visitor arrivals up 22 per cent in September, 40.7 million in first nine months
Hong Kong welcomed about 4.03 million visitors last month, up 22 per cent year on year, boosted by the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and low comparison base. First nine month arrivals totalled about 40.7 million, up 12 per cent, the tourism board said.
Hong Kong recorded about 4.03 million visitor arrivals last month, a rise of 22 per cent compared with the same period last year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Thursday.
The increase was helped by the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and a series of festive events held in the city during the month, including the annual Tai Hang fire dragon dance, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals and the first-ever International Mid-Autumn Lantern Display, the board said in a statement.
A low comparison base also contributed to the growth, as the corresponding period last year was affected by adverse weather. Mainland Chinese visitor arrivals last month rose nearly 30 per cent year on year.
For the first nine months of this year, cumulative visitor arrivals reached about 40.7 million, an increase of 12 per cent year on year, reflecting sustained growth momentum in Hong Kong's tourism industry, the board added.
The board said it will continue to promote Hong Kong through event-based tourism, meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions tourism, and diversified travel experiences that are "only in Hong Kong", as major events such as Hong Kong Halloween, the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, the Hong Kong WinterFest and the Hong Kong New Year Countdown are held in the coming months.
It said it will work with the industry to attract more high-value visitors to the city.