CRI听力:Slight Growth in Tourists Not Benefit Retail Sector in HK

Hong Kong's Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development, Gregory So, says total arrivals climbed 1.5 percent year-on-year.

The number of mainland tourists increased by just 2.3-percent this year to around 1.1 million arrivals over the 7-day holiday on the mainland.

Gregory So says this seems to be a growing trend.

"The number seems to be steady, but there may be a change in visitors' consumption habit. The retail sector says their performance is not as good as it used to be. "

In September alone, the number of mainland tourists dropped by 4.6 percent.

Visitors into Hong Kong from neighboring Shenzhen were down by some 20-percent last month.

Officials are suggesting one of the main reasons is the current restrictions on one visit per week from Shenzhen, which came into effect almost half a year ago.

The National Day holiday, or the "Golden week", is normally a bonanza for Hong Kong retailers, as it has traditionally seen millions of mainland tourists flood into the city.

However, Cantonese restaurant CEO Chan Po Wah says their business is down by some 20 to 30 percent this year.

"This year, we have fewer mainland customers. We used to prepare a lot to receive mainland tourists groups, for example, twenty groups from the mainland, and ten from South Korea, but now, the figure is the opposite. "

Commerce Secretary Gregory So says there are a number of factors behind this.

"On the exchange front, other currencies have depreciated a lot against RMB and HK dollars, so tourists tend to spend less here. Another reason is that other regions and countries have loosened their visa policies to attract more mainland tourists. Thirdly, of course, the unpleasant protests against mainland tourists also make them less willing to visit Hong Kong. "

The tourism in Hong Kong has slumped for the first time since 2009, with many hotels trying to lure visitors by cheaper prices.

At the same time, jewelry shops, pharmacies, and cosmetic stores are running almost empty in busy shopping areas, even during the holidays.

The travel industry in Hong Kong says it's working promotional campaigns, as well as developing new attractions.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.