Hong Kong Reports Record Tourist Numbers In First Half 2010

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has reported that the number of tourist arrivals in the SAR hit a record 16.86 million in the first half of 2010 — up 23.1% from the previous year.

The report adds that June, a total of 2.62 million tourists visited Hong Kong, up 43.5% year on year.

The tourism board also points out that the Chinese mainland has become a major source of tourists. In the first six months, 10.48 million mainland tourists visited Hong Kong — 26.9% more than in the same period of last year.

A spokesman for the board said the number of tourist arrivals would increase by 20% to 25% in the summer period, and the number may keep growing in the second half of 2010 if Europe recovers from its debt crisis and the global economic environment remains in a good shape.