Hong Kong records September 2004 Visitor Arrivals of 1,688,300

Hong Kong’s best-ever September tourism figures have taken total visitor arrivals for the first nine months of 2004 past the 15.7 million mark, more than the total for the full year in 2003. September’s arrivals of 1,688,300 were more than 200,000 ahead of the previous best total for that month, the 1.48 million arrivals achieved in September 2003. They represent 14.2% growth on the 2003 figure and 23.2% growth on the same month in 2002.

For the first nine months of 2004 overall, Hong Kong has welcomed 15,758,092 arrivals, growth of 52.1% on the same period in 2003 and 34.2% on 2002. This surpasses the 15.54 million arrivals recorded for the entire 12 months of 2003.

Many individual source markets and regions have also now bettered their 2003 full-year totals, including Mainland China with 8.98 million arrivals from January to September, compared with 8.47 million for the whole of 2003. Other short-haul markets to reach this landmark include Singapore and Thailand (which both achieved it by August), South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia and India, while in the long-haul markets the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand have all done so.

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Executive Director Clara Chong said it was very encouraging news to see such a consistent pattern of recovery across different markets worldwide, especially the long-haul markets. “This is a testament to the success of our vigorous global marketing activities,” she commented. “Not only have we passed our 2003 totals already, we also have the historically busiest final quarter of the year to come. October should be another very strong month, especially in view of the National Day ‘Golden Week’ at the beginning of the month. We have also now entered a busy period for business travel, as many international conventions and exhibitions are being staged, while our Hong Kong WinterFest promotion in December will give a further boost to the family market.”

Analysis by Markets, September and January–September 2004

Mainland China was again to the fore in September, contributing 912,723 arrivals, 54.1% of the total for all markets. This represents 19.8% growth on the same month in 2003. More than 98,000 of the Mainland arrivals were recorded in the last three days of the month, as travellers took advantage of the closeness of the Mid- Autumn Festival and National Day holiday to enjoy a double festive celebration in Hong Kong. During the month, 324,873 Mainland visitors, 35.6% of the total, arrived under the Individual Visit Scheme. In the first nine months of 2004, Hong Kong has now welcomed 8,979,475 Mainland arrivals, 59.3% more than for the equivalent period in 2003. Of these, 2,959,208 have arrived under the Individual Visit Scheme, 33.0% of the total.

The Americas continues to lead the long-haul markets with 106,908 arrivals in September, 15.6% growth on the same month in 2003. Arrivals from the United States were 15.8% up at 83,259, while those from Canada were boosted by a series of tactical promotions with trade and media partners, growing 22.0% to 18,363. Cumulatively, arrivals from The Americas in the first nine months have reached 987,621, 63.7% ahead of the same period in 2003 and 2.1% above those for 2002.

Europe, Africa & the Middle East was again close behind with 103,240 September arrivals, 13.4% ahead of September 2003. The United Kingdom (29,602, +16.9%) continues to perform strongly, buoyed by additional flight capacity on the popular London–Hong Kong route since June. Germany (14,109, +19.8%) and France (10,781, +19.8%) also showed good growth, as did the smaller markets of Italy and South Africa. For the first nine months of 2004, total arrivals from this region stand at 961,725, 63.7% ahead of the same period in 2003 and 8.9% above those of 2002.

Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific continues to be the best-performing of three long-haul market regions with a 28.3% year-on-year increase to 43,960 in September. Individually Australia (37,291, +32.2%) and New Zealand (6,517, +13.5%) both maintained their strong momentum. Some 340,462 arrivals from this region have now been recorded in the first nine months of 2004, 68.0% ahead of those for 2003 and 15.2% above 2002.

In the short-haul markets, arrivals from North Asia are maintaining their steady recovery with 160,419 September arrivals, 25.3% growth on the same month in 2003. The 115,749 arrivals from Japan (+21.9%) were the highest monthly total seen from this market since January 2003, demonstrating that the HKTB’s strenuous efforts to rebuild consumer interest and confidence through its “Finding the New Hong Kong” campaign are bearing fruit. South Korea contributed a further 44,670 arrivals (+35.0%), a strong performance that likewise reflects the positive effects of the HKTB’s ongoing promotional campaigns. For the first nine months of 2004 overall, arrivals from this region stand at 1,178,141, 37.3% increase on the same period in 2003 but 13.4% below on the 2002 figure, due to the slower recovery of Japan. The 383,444 arrivals from South Korea put this market well on track to surpass its historic full-year high of 472,962, achieved in 1996.

South & Southeast Asia recorded 155,769 September arrivals, 4.4% ahead of September 2003. Singapore (36,033, +24.0%) led the way, due in part to the continuing air travel price war, which is creating some highly attractive Hong Kong packages for consumers. Total arrivals for this region in the first nine months of 2004 now stand 1,410,393, 66.7% ahead of the same period in 2003 and 6.9% ahead of 2002.

Taiwan remains Hong Kong’s second largest source market, although arrivals have not yet consistently regained their 2003 levels. While leisure travel continues to show growth, business travel to the Mainland via Hong Kong has been reduced this year as some of these travellers no longer pass through Hong Kong immigration, due to the convenience of the direct ferry services from the airport’s SkyPier to Pearl River Delta destinations, introduced in late 2003. In September, Taiwan contributed 170,047 arrivals, 8.3% below the same month in 2003. For the first nine months of 2004, total arrivals show an increase of 18.0% on the same period in 2003 but a decrease of 14.8% on the 2002 figure.

Same-Day In-Town Visitors

In September, 60.6% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, close to the 60.9% recorded in September 2003. The remaining 39.4% were classified as “same-day in-town” visitors, departing for another destination on the same day as arrival.

Most long-haul visitors stay for at least one night. In September, over 80% of arrivals from Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific did so, as did 77% from The Americas and 75% from Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. In addition, nearly 74% of arrivals from South & Southeast Asia were classified as overnight visitors. On other hand, only 28% of Taiwan visitors stayed overnight, as many visitors are in transit to/from Mainland China or other regional destinations.

For the first nine months of 2004, 62.9% of all visitors have stayed for one night or more, compared with only 61.7% for the same period in 2003.

Hotel Occupancy

The average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses in September was 84%. This is the highest September figure since 1996, and two percentage points higher than for the same months in 2002 and 2003. Top tariff hotels averaged 83% occupancy, while those in the second tier recorded 86%.

The 86% average occupancy achieved in the core Tsim Sha Tsui tourism area was matched in the non-core areas of Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island, which are often favoured by tour groups and some leisure travellers. The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was HK$832, a 21.6% improvement on the September 2003 figure.

Cumulatively for the first nine months of 2004, average occupancy now stands at 86%, compared with 63% for the same period in 2003 and 82% in 2002. The average achieved hotel room rate is HK$758, 19.2% higher than the HK$636 recorded for this period in 2003.

See also: Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals for August 2004 pass 2 million mark