Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law on Saturday said she is optimistic about business prospects for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, amid expectations from the Immigration Department that 1.43 million mainlanders would visit Hong Kong during the nine-day festive period.

Speaking on a radio programme, Law said hotels had already chalked up room reservations of around 80 percent even before the announcement had been made that a fireworks display would be held on February 18 – the second day of the Lunar New Year – and that they further rose after that.

However, she said she hoped tourists would stagger their arrivals so as to avoid the Lunar New Year peak.

"I hope people can consider arriving on different days, rather than entering the city on the first three days when most people come in," Law said.

"We understand there are a lot of flagship events during the first three days, but we also have other events happening afterwards, including the Lunar New Year Cup, and floats being exhibited in different places after the parade, such as the Jockey Club and Lam Tsuen."

Law said extensive arrangements had been put in place to cope with the expected tourist influx. She warned that strict enforcement action would be taken against illegal practices by taxi drivers, such as refusing to take passengers, in order to safeguard Hong Kong’s tourist image.

Law also said the old Yau Ma Tei Police Station, a new tourist attraction that opened up in January, would extend its opening hours and suspend its weekly closure day during the Lunar New Year period.

Law added that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department would deploy additional staff to manage environmental hygiene and crowd control at places it monitors, such as country and marine parks.