More Tourists Allowed to Visit Hong KongThe daily average quota for mainland tourists to Hong Kong will be increased to 2,000 from 1, 500, bringing total early quota to 730,000, according to Thursday' s "China Daily" Hong Kong edition.The agreement was reached in a recent meeting in Beijing between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). In line with the increase in mainland-to-Hong Kong tourism, it was decided that the number of designated mainland tour operators will be increased from four to 17. The daily target many be exceeded as necessary during peak period such as the Lunar New Year, according to the new arrangement, but the overall yearly quota of 730,000 will be observed. The Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) welcomed the agreement, and said it will help increase the income of tourist industry of Hong Kong. Statistics by the HKTA show that each mainland tourist would spend 4,370 HK dollars (560 U.S. dollars) on average. Based on the statistics, the new quota is expected to bring Hong Kong tourist sector a revenue as much as additional 800 million HK dollars (102 million U.S. dollars) each year. |
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