Figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) show an outright record of 272,978 Indian visitor arrivals to Hong Kong in the first six months of 2010. The figure represented not only a year-on-year increase of 58.4%, but also the highest half-yearly figure ever recorded. Also reaching a new mark was the arrival figure for the month of June, which increased by 59.5% to reach 64,053. Total visitor arrivals in the first six months of 2010 in Hong Kong stood at 16,856,016 – reflecting a growth of 23.1%.
HKTB Chairman James Tien said: “Following the record-breaking results in previous months, visitor arrivals reached new heights again during the first six months as well as June this year. We saw not just significant year-on-year growth, but also a leap upward from the 2008 level in many market regions. While the base for comparison is relatively lower due to the drop in visitor arrivals resulting from the confirmation of the first human swine flu case in Hong Kong last May, the recovering global economy has helped to increase travel propensity and sustain the growth momentum of visitor arrivals this year.
“We expect the positive trend will continue into this summer and visitor arrivals will further increase by 20 to 25%. Unless the European debt crisis and the global economy deteriorate, we expect visitor arrivals to maintain its steady growth in the latter half of this year. Leveraging on the growth momentum, the HKTB has already planned a series of promotions and mega events to stimulate greater desire and interest in visiting Hong Kong.”
