Many mainland travellers wrapped up their visit to Hong Kong on Tuesday ahead of the end of a National Day Golden Week that has seen the tourism sector reporting higher spending this year.

The eight-day break for mainland residents ends on Wednesday.

At the West Kowloon high-speed rail terminus, many travellers could be seen departing with armfuls of shopping bags.

A visitor surnamed Chen, who came from Hangzhou, said she had spent four days in Hong Kong buying gold and clothing.

“Prices were competitive, with discounts of around 10 percent compared with the mainland. I like buying gold as its value is still rising,” she said.

A Shanghai visitor, surnamed Li, praised the city’s scenic landscapes, singling out The Peak, Mui Wo and Victoria Harbour as highlights for his family.

Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said the improved spending climate may be linked to an increase in overnight visitors, noting that occupancy rates at many hotels had been high.

He suggested that the hotel industry should partner with major shopping centres to provide free shuttle buses, which would divert tourists across different districts and ease overcrowding at popular attractions.