Hong Kong expects increase in 2011 tourist numbers

Hong Kong's tourist board has revealed that the city is expecting an increase in annual visitor numbers in 2011.The organisation predicted that arrivals would climb to nearly 40m this year after revealing that total spending by inbound travellers in 2010 reached an all-time high of HK$210bn (£16.5bn).

Average expenditure by individual overnight guests rose to HK$6,728 last year, an increase of 16.6% from 2009.James Tien, chairman of the city's tourist board, said that the growth in spending was based on rising visitor numbers and the strengthening of many foreign currencies against the Hong Kong dollar.

'Last year, we welcomed 36.03m visitor arrivals to Hong Kong, 21.8% more than 2009,' he said. 'The increase in arrivals, along with the strengthening of most currencies against the Hong Kong dollar, which stimulated visitors' spending, led to remarkable growth in the total tourism expenditure.'Looking into 2011, we expect further growth in arrivals to 39.64m, provided that the global economy remains stable and the mainland maintains its robust economic growth.'

One of the experiences on offer to travellers visiting Hong Kong is staying in the hotel billed as the highest in the world.The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, which opened late last month, occupies floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre.

Source = eturbonews