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Hong Kong's February Visitor Arrivals Surge 17%
 
HONG KONG - March 19, 1999--Visitor arrivals to Hong Kong in February this year surged 17.2% to a total of 782,640 compared with February 1998, according to figures released by the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA).

Total cumulative arrivals for January and February reached 1.6 million, an increase of 13.9% over the same period last year.

Markets showing the strongest growth in February included Mainland China, from where arrivals rose by 65.2%, due mainly to favorable outbound policies, a shorter visa processing time, and the Chinese New Year holiday period which encouraged travelers to go overseas.

Arrivals from South Korea rose by 47.2% in February, taking advantage of the economic stability and a more stable exchange rate against the Hong Kong dollar. Arrivals from the Philippines increased by 39.2% as special interest tours that included Chinese New Year activities encouraged travel to Hong Kong. The number of visitors from Indonesia rose by 28.1%, with new year activities luring visitors, especially among the Indonesian Chinese.

A growth of 11.5% was recorded in arrivals from Taiwan, as travelers made the most of the stable economy and the Cathay Pacific Super Stop promotion. Arrivals from Malaysia grew by 10.0% in February due to the Chinese New Year holiday stimulating travel. The stabilizing economy, the strengthening Yen and a new air service between Tokyo and Hong Kong helped to account for an increase of 3.2% in arrivals from Japan in February.

The only shorthaul market to register a significant fall in arrivals in February was Singapore, from where the number of visitors fell by 14.2%, caused probably by the curtailment of consumer spending following the 10% cut in the Central Provident Fund in January this year.

Arrivals from almost all longhaul markets fell in February, due mainly to the Chinese New Year holiday. Numbers were down from New Zealand (52.4%), Switzerland (32.8%), the UK (29.4%), South Africa (23.6%), Australia (23.3%), Germany (19.8%), Italy (13.8%), France (13.4%), the Netherlands (13.1%) and the USA (12.7%). Other reasons for the decreases include keen competition among regional destinations, less favorable exchange rates and weak local economies.

The cumulative January/February figures follow the February trend, with most shorthaul markets showing growth, while many longhaul markets either remained stable or fell. Bucking that trend was Canada, with a growth of 6.1% over the two-month period.

Most encouragingly, however, the figures point to the beginning of a rebound in arrivals from the important Japan market, with the cumulative total rising by 7.5%.

Commenting on the latest statistics, Mrs. Amy Chan, Executive Director of the HKTA, said, "We are very encouraged to see that the strong growth in January has carried through the Chinese New Year period, and arrivals so far this month are also up. However, there are still many challenges ahead, and everyone in the tourism industry must continue to work hard to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness."

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Contact:
Hong Kong Tourist Association
Lilibeth Bishop or Diana Budiman 
310/824-7265 or 212/840-1690
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Also See: Hong Kong's Average Hotel Occupancy Rate for December 1998 was 81%, Up from just 69% in December 1997 / Jan 1999 

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