CRI听力:Hong Kong Launches Campaign to Promote Tourism

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has launched a new campaign to promote the summer tourism season.

The biggest "Hong Kong Summer Fun" campaign in years will be held between June 15 and Aug.31.

During this period, two mega lucky draws will be held at the Hong Kong International Airport. Hotels will offer discounts for overnight visitors. There will also be more promotions from airlines, restaurants and retailers than in previous years.

Hong Kong's tourism industry has declined sharply for the first time in eight years.

Its overnight visitors dropped by 3.7 percent in the first four months from last year.

Both mainland and international visitors have dwindled.

Anthony Lau, executive director of Hong Kong Tourism Board, says the decline in tourism has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong's economy.

"This has been the first bad figure we've seen in eight years, because it usually went up in previous years. So this has been a huge blow to the industry."

The plunge in the number of tourists follows rising anti-mainland sentiment from a group of local activist as well as the "occupy central movement" last year.