Figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) showed that visitor arrivals in May 2008 reached 2,342,146, 6.3% more than in May 2007.
This brings cumulative arrivals for the first five months of 2008 to 12,037,578, 9.5% ahead of the same period last year.
Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific recorded positive growth in May 2008 with 62,216 arrivals, a 4.6% rise over the previous year. Of these, 52,177 came from Australia (+6.3%). Year to date arrivals for the Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific are 319,353 (+10.7%), with Australia at 273,012 (+12.6%).
Overnight Vs Same-Day In-Town Visitors
In May 2008, some 58.4% of all visitors to Hong Kong stayed in the city for at least one night, 2.3 percentage points lower than for the same month last year.
The remaining 41.6% same-day in-town visitors either returned home or left for another destination on the same day as arrival.
May 2008 Hotel Occupancy
Hotel occupancy across all categories of hotels in May 2008 was 81%, same as in May 2007. The geographic location with the highest occupancy was Yau Ma Tei/ Mong Kok, where hotels recorded occupancy rate of 84%.
The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories was HK$1,140, 3.5% higher than in May 2007.
Note:
Visitor arrivals mentioned in this release include both overnight visitors and same-day in-town visitors.
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), visitors are divided into two categories:
(i) tourists or overnight visitors, if the trip involves an overnight stay; and
(ii) same-day visitors or excursionists, if the trip does not involve an overnight stay.
A Report by The Mole
