Over 20 Million Visitors Forecast For 2004

Visitor arrivals are forecast to exceed the 20 million mark to reach 20.5 million in 2004, a growth of 31.8% over 2003. 

The year has begun strongly, with visitor arrivals in January reaching 1,748,388, for a 13.1% increase over the same month last year. 

Mainland China will continue to be the main contributor, with 11.2 million arrivals forecast. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) remains committed to maintaining a balanced portfolio of visitors and forecasts that arrivals from other markets will grow by 32% to 9.3 million in 2004. 

Chairman of the HKTB, the Hon Mrs Selina Chow, said that while the global economic recovery had made a positive macro environment, the market remained volatile in the short term due to concerns about SARS and avian flu. 

The HKTB’s key focuses for 2004 include growing high-potential and high-yield market segments; further developing the Mainland market and capitalizing on the Individual Visit Scheme; enhancing visitor experience through mega-events; proactively building support for upcoming tourism infrastructure; and strengthening co-operation with various sectors of the community in providing visitors with greater quality assurance.

Executive Director, Ms Clara Chong, said the HKTB will continue to focus on business travellers, exhibitions, conventions, the corporate events sector and cruise visitors. 

The HKTB will also continue to promote Hong Kong’s potential as a family destination, paving the way for the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005.

The tourism industry has rebounded strongly after the SARS outbreak. Mrs Chow attributed this recover to “unprecedented unity and splendid team efforts between the Government, the travel industry and the community.”

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