After China took over Hong Kong, the central government has been encouraging mainland visitors to go shopping in the island. The policy turned out quite successful in pushing up Hong Kong’s economy. But in this “Golden Week” less people visited Hong Kong. Read the story from The Standard, a Hong Kong local English newspaper.
Hong Kong retailers reported low sales volumes as mainland tourist numbers fell during the long holiday break coinciding with National Day and Mid- Autumn Festival. About 359,103 mainlanders visited between September 30 and October 7, compared with 367,000 in the same period last year, according to the Immigration Department and tourism board data.
Hong Kong Retail Management Association chairman Bankee Kwan Pak-hoo said retailers had seen “low single digit growth or even flat” sales compared with a year ago.
Purchases by local residents made up 80 percent of sales and there was very little contribution from mainland visitors.
