Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals for April 2006

Total visitor arrivals to Hong Kong exceeded 2.1 million in April 2006, representing a 9.5% year-on-year increase. The rise took the cumulative total for January to April to more than 8.3 million, 12.7% higher than in the first four months of 2005.

Among the arrivals in April, more than 1.27 million (59.7%) were classified as overnight visitors, and over 857,000 (40.3%) as same-day arrivals. The latter number reflects Hong Kong’s status as a leading aviation hub in the region, as well as an increasing preference for short consumption visits among Mainland China residents able to take advantage of the ease and flexibility of travel offered by the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS). The Mainland provided more than 1.1 million visitors in April, a 12.4% year-on-year increase, of which over 657,000 (59.2%) stayed at least one night in the city. Over 476,000 Mainland visitors travelled to Hong Kong under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), 43% of the total and 18.3% more than in the same month in 2005.

The majority of Hong Kong’s regional markets also showed increases in April. Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific showed the highest percentage gain, at 15.3%, with South and Southeast Asia growing by 9%, North Asia by 6%, the Americas by 5.9% and Europe, Africa and the Middle East by 5.5%. Taiwan, on the other hand, showed a marginal 1% drop, although the percentage of overnight arrivals from the island rose by 4.8%.

Hong Kong also saw an increase in the share of international overnight visitors in April, although political uncertainties in several source markets, including Thailand, France and Italy, had a dampening effect on travel sentiment. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) stated that it therefore continues to remain cautious, especially in view of the potential impact of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, and is closely monitoring arrival trends from all key markets.

Detailed look at April 2006 Overall Arrival Statistics

Tourism arrivals to Hong Kong reached 2,127,254 in April, a 9.5% increase over the 2005 figure. Cumulative arrivals from January to April stood at 8.35 million.

Mainland China provided 1,109,401 visitors, 12.4% more than in April last year. Among other key regional markets, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific grew by 15.3% to 60,844 arrivals, South and Southeast Asia showed a 9% increase to 234,719, North Asia rose by 6% to 145,900, The Americas increased by 5.9% to 153,489 and Europe, Africa and the Middle East grew by 5.5% to 196,785. Only Taiwan showed a slight dip in arrivals to Hong Kong, by 1% to 181,765.

April 2006 Arrivals by Markets

Mainland China provided 1,109,401 arrivals in April, 12.4% more than in the same month in 2005. Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) arrivals numbered 476,588, 43% of all Mainland visitors and 18.3% more than in the same month in 2005. Cumulative arrivals from the Mainland in January-April reached 4,701,244, a 16.8% increase over the same months in 2005, while IVS visitors numbered 2,264,735, 28.1% more than in the previous year.

April arrivals from Taiwan fell by 1% to 181,765. This brought the overall total for the first four months of the year to 708,548, a 3.4% increase.

South and Southeast Asian arrivals reached 234,719 in April, 9% more than in the previous year, while the cumulative four-month total rose by 8.9% to 778,368. Individual markets in this region showing the strongest April growth were the Philippines (36.7%) and Indonesia (17.5%).

Arrivals from North Asia increased by 6% to 145,900 in April, with South Korea growing by 7.1% and Japan by 5.4%. Cumulative arrivals in January-April reached 640,197, 7.3% more than in 2005. 

Among key long-haul regions, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific was the best performer in April, growing by 15.3% to 60,844. Arrivals from the Americas increased by 5.9% to 153,489, while those from Europe, Africa and the Middle East rose by 5.5% to 196,785. Respective cumulative four-monthly totals for the three regions stood at 210,480 (12.5%), 523,632 (5.2%) and 621,917 (11.8%).

April 2006 Same-Day In-Town Visitors

Some 59.7% of all visitors to Hong Kong in April stayed in the city for at least one night, compared with 59.8% in the same month last year. The remaining 40.3% same-day in-town visitors either returned home or left for another destination on the same day as arrival.

Between January and April 2006, 61.9% of all visitors stayed for one night or more, 0.6 of a percentage point lower than in the first four months of 2005.

April 2006 Hotel Occupancy

Hotel occupancy across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses in April was 86%, identical to the 2005 figure. This is despite the fact that Hong Kong’s hotel room supply grew by 4% between April 2005 and April 2006.

Visitors’ most favoured geographic location in April was, as usual, Yau Ma Tei/Mong Kok, where hotels recorded an occupancy rate of 92%.

The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories was HK$1,264, 16.4% higher than in April 2005.

The average occupancy across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses for January-April 2006 is 87%, three percentage points higher than in 2005. The average achieved room rate across all hotel categories is HK$1,086, 15.5% higher than in the first four months of 2005.

See also: Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals for March 2006

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