Hong Kong welcomed about 1.19 million visitors over the Labour Day Golden Week, marking a rise of eight percent compared to the same holiday a year ago.

Arrivals from the mainland increased 10 percent to about 1.01 million during the May 1-5 period, according to figures released by the Immigration Department on Wednesday.

Most of them opted to travel to the SAR via the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, followed by the Express Rail Link West Kowloon checkpoint.

Hotel occupancy rates reached 90 percent, which was slightly higher than last year, despite a 10 percent rise in room prices compared to long holidays in the past.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan said in a statement that the surge in visitor arrivals provided a boost for various sectors.

“Representatives of some shopping malls indicated that consumption in various retail categories saw year-on-year double-digit increases," he said.

Chan also noted that this generated "considerable economic benefits" for the catering sector.


Edited by Aaron Tam