Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said on Friday Hong Kong has seen a significant rise in the numbers of both mainland and international tourists so far during the Labour Day Golden Week.

Law said Hong Kong has seen 265,000 tourists since the start of the five-day holiday on Thursday, representing growth of more than 25 percent from the same period last year.

She said 43,000 of them were non-mainland tourists, which was 50 percent more.

"This shows the effectiveness of our promotional efforts directed at international and mainland tourists," Law said.

"Also, 260 mainland tour groups came to Hong Kong on Thursday, and 75 percent of them stayed overnight.

"We welcome tourists to stay overnight.

"There was good order as well."

Law added that the same could also be said of the throng of visitors heading for and leaving High Island Reservoir East Dam, a popular tourist spot in Sai Kung.

According to Immigration Department's figures, 540,000 people arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday while departures numbered 480,000.