The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that the overall number of visitors to Hong Kong reached around 1.64 million for the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday from October 1 to yesterday, with all the arrangements for receiving visitors rolling out smoothly.

The working group remarked that the number of visitors recorded during Golden Week is at a satisfactory level, despite being affected by a typhoon.

During the eight-day Golden Week, around 1.64 million inbound visitors were recorded, with Mainland visitors accounting for over 1.4 million. Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at more than 230,000 on October 1.

The hotel occupancy rate during this period generally reached 90%.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the interdepartmental working group, noted that this year’s National Day Golden Week coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, offering a wide array of vibrant activities throughout the holiday period.

A series of special offers and activities were launched in celebration of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing visitors and citizens to experience the festive ambience that displays the charm of Hong Kong, Mr Chan added.

Specifically, the National Day Fireworks Display over Victoria Harbour on October 1 attracted over 340,000 viewers, while the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance drew over 100,000 spectators, and over 380,000 flocked to the eight-day Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival at Victoria Park.

In addition, about 12,100 visitors toured the High Island Reservoir East Dam. Through the concerted efforts of various departments, order at the East Dam was well maintained, and minibus services between Pak Tam Chung and the East Dam generally operated smoothly.

Around 1,300 Mainland inbound tour groups came to the city during the eight-day Golden Week, bringing nearly 49,000 visitors to Hong Kong, with around 60% engaged in overnight itineraries. The number of tour groups exceeded the record of last year’s seven-day National Day Golden Week by 24%.