Catering and retail sector representatives on Friday expressed concern about the outlook for this year's Easter holiday, saying people were travelling and spending elsewhere.

Simon Wong, the president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said he expected business to fall by a quarter during the Easter break.

"During some long holidays, like the recent Ching Ming Festival, with an average of 1.08 million people crossing the border daily, our business fell by around 15 percent," he told RTHK.

"With the Easter holiday being even longer, and given that there is no Easter holiday on the mainland, we're quite worried about the catering and retail sectors."

However, Wong said he believed the situation would be better than last year, saying more tourists were visiting Hong Kong and more locals were spending during the evening.

Lam Chi-chung, the general secretary of the Hong Kong Department Store and Commercial Staff General Union, said he expects Easter break retail sales to drop by 10 percent compared to last year.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Lam said this was because tourist spending patterns had changed and locals were travelling during long holidays.

"In the past, tourists tended to combine sightseeing and shopping when visiting. Now, they prefer in-depth tours or sightseeing experiences. They're more cautious with their spending and don't buy as much as before," he said.

Lam added that air conditioners and dehumidifiers are expected to sell well due to the seasonal change.