The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that around 950,000 visitors arrived in Hong Kong over New Year holidays between the New Year’s Eve and yesterday, representing an increase of about 40% over the same period last year.

The working group remarked that all aspects of receiving visitors to Hong Kong operated smoothly.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the working group, said the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays coincided with a three-day New Year public holiday on the Mainland. Coupled with an array of festive activities, including the Hong Kong New Year Countdown, visitors were attracted to experience the festive ambience in the city.

During the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays, Mainland inbound visitors accounted for over 740,000, representing an increase of about 48% year-on-year. Whereas the number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 210,000, representing an increase of about 19%.

Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 220,000 on January 1.

Visitors went to various major tourist attractions in Hong Kong during the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays as well as attractions within country parks, including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir at Sai Kung and Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods at Tai Lam Country Park.