Hong Kong reports record figures
Hong Kong enjoyed a record number of arrivals in January and February, despite negative publicity surrounding Asia following the tsunami.
It reported its best ever cumulative January and February arrivals of 3.6 million – a 13.6 per cent growth on the first two months of 2004.
Arrivals from the UK also grew sharply, by 19 per cent to 71,600 during the period.
“We are delighted with our start to 2005,” said Hong Kong Tourism Board director Northern Europe Mandy Round. “The majority of visitors to Hong Kong combine it with other destinations, primarily beach resorts within Asia, so there was certainly the possibility that the tsunami would inhibit demand for Hong Kong. Fortunately this has proved not to be the case.”
In 2004, 21.8 million people visited Hong Kong, while spending by visitors from the UK grew by 7% to £356 per person.
The HKTB is aiming for 23.41 million visitors in 2005, following promotion later in the year for the 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign.
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