Tourists spending more in Hong Kong, particularly the Chinese

Visitors to Hong Kong spent HK$162.89 billion in tourism expenditure last year, an increase of 3.2% when compared to that received in 2008, with Mainland Chinese visitors one of the key markets that increased spending.

Last year overnight visitors from China spent HK$6.620 per person, a 16.6% jump on what was spend in 2008.? Same day visitors from China spent an average of HK$2,352 per person, a 10.0% increase on 2008 figures, says the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

"The key driver was the greater number of Mainland visitors and their higher spending, as led by the Mainland's robust economic growth and the implementation of measures to facilitate individual visits by Shenzhen residents," said James Tien, HKTB Chairman.

"Indeed, Mainland visitors have become the highest spenders among all markets, contributing HK$83.47 billion or about 70% of our total visitor spending."

In fact all other major markets saw their overnight guests reduce their spend, with the biggest drop coming from Europe, Africa and the Middle East region where average overnight traveller spend dropped by 15.2%.

Overnight visitor spend dropped 14.7% for The Americas, 13.8% for Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific, 9.6% for North Asia, and 6.0% for South-east Asia.