HK Sees More Visitors From Long-haul Markets

Hong Kong received 1.076 million visitors from long-haul markets, an increase of 22.5 percent over the same month last year, according to figures released by the Hong Kong Tourist Association Monday.

For the period from January to September 2000, visitors arrivals from long-haul markets, which consist of Europe and Americas, totaled 9.25 million, an increase of 16.2 percent compared with the same period last year.

Hong Kong today is generally regarded as being less expensive and more competitive than in the pre-handover peak in 1996, said the association.

While statistics indicate visitors may be staying for shorter periods, tourism receipts for the period from January to June 2000 reached 30.1 billion HK dollars (3.9 billion U.S. dollars), 12.4 percent up from the same period last year.

Tourism is the second biggest contributor to Hong Kong's export income.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/