While the number of mainland visitors in Hong Kong continues to rise, there is a growing concern that Hong Kong is slowly falling out as one of the top travel destinations for middle-class Chinese tourists.
The Hong Kong Tourism Commission (HKTC) revealed that the number of mainland tourists in Hong Kong continues to increase, registering 12.1 percent growth year-on-year in 2012 to hit 34.9 million. Mainland tourists, the HKTC said, accounted for 72 percent of the total tourist arrivals in the city last year. But while the tourism figure continues to be positive, there is growing concern that baffles tourism industry players in Hong Kong.
A report published by China Daily revealed that tourists from mainland China are staying for shorter number of days and are spending less money in Hong Kong. The report also said the wealthy mainland travelers prefer New York, Paris and Milan for their shopping spree after claiming that Hong Kong is short on chic.
Michael Li, the executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, said that while he expects the occupancy rate in the city to reach last year's level during the busy Christmas shopping period, mainland guests are staying less than two nights on average. "Hong Kong's popularity as a shopping paradise worked for some time, but it has become tiresome for everyone," Li told China Daily.
According to a survey by Boston Consulting Group, Hong Kong slipped off the list of the top 15 popular travel destinations of middle-class tourists from mainland China. The survey, which covered nearly 1,000 mainland respondents, showed that Hong Kong, which used to be the top travel destination for years, dropped to No 10 on the list when respondents were asked about the next destination they wanted to visit. Eight of the 10 destinations in the list were places outside Asia, the Boston Consulting survey revealed.
A Boston Consulting Group partner said the declining interest in Hong Kong could be attributed to the fact that mainland tourists now want to enjoy leisure activities and experience other exotic cultures in their travels.