The number of tourists on the first day of the Golden Week rose 15.4% compared to a year earlier, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So said today.
Speaking to the media after attending a tourist attraction promotion event, Mr So said the number of Mainland tourists rose 16.2% year-on-year, while overseas tourist numbers rose 10.9%.
However, he stressed that he cannot draw any conclusions based on a single day’s figure, as the pattern of the seven-day Golden Week varies. He will consider the numbers over the whole week, he said.
Mr So said that the slow global economic growth, depreciation in renminbi and other Asian currencies, as well as recent events against Mainland visitors did affect tourists’ desire to come to Hong Kong.
The bureau will monitor the situation and introduce appropriate measures when necessary.
