Hong Kong set for Lunar New Year tourism bump with 6% rise in mainland Chinese visitors

Hong Kong’s tourism sector is bracing for a 6 per cent rise in mainland Chinese visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday, as travel to the city regains momentum.Tickets for high-speed trains from major mainland cities to Hong Kong have been selling fast in the days leading up to the festive period – an upbeat sign for some hoteliers expecting a full house during the holiday.The Travel Industry Council, a federation of local travel trade associations, estimated that up to 1.4 million mainland visitors would set foot in the city during the holiday – a 6 per cent rise compared with Lunar New Year last year.Fanny Yeung Shuk-fun, the council’s executive director, also estimated the city would be receiving some 2,600 mainland tour groups during the holiday, representing a 5 per cent increase from last year.“Mega-events and activities are the key reasons for the positive arrivals,” Yeung said, citing the recent opening of the cinematic exhibition at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station as one of the attractions drawing mainland visitors.The holiday on the mainland will run from February 15 to 23, spanning nine days from the 28th day of the 12th lunar month to the seventh day of the new Year of the Horse.