Official data shows most mainland tourists prefer low-cost, short-stay trips in HK

86% of mainland tour groups have stayed in Hong Kong for less than three days over the period of February to May this year, while over half of the mainland tours cost RMB500 or less.

According to the official written statement from the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) to lawmaker Kwok Wai Keung, the authority has received 9,674 registered itineraries from inbound mainland tour groups (IMTGs) from 6 February to 7 May. Among them, 47% stayed for two days in Hong Kong, while 39% spent a day in Hon Kong only. 14% of them stayed in Hong Kong for three or more days.

On the other hand, most mainland tour groups spent low budgets on their itineraries. According to the official data, TIA said it received 3,183 registered itineraries from 29 March to 5 May, with over half (54%) of the mainland tours cost RMB500 or less. Meanwhile, 517 tours, 16% of the total, cost between RMB1,001 and RMB1,500.

In terms of the top tourist attractions for the mainland tour groups, among the 9,674 registered itineraries, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel saw the most (709) visits from mainland tour groups, followed by theme park Ocean Park (534), Hong Kong Palace Museum, a museum which showcased Chinese art and culture (209).

Meanwhile, the classic peak tram up to the Peak ranked the fourth on the list with 72 mainland tour visits, followed by Xiqu Centre (52) and M+ Museum, which showcased modern art, design and architecture (46). 

While it has been reported that the practice of some inbound MTGs taking visitors to non-traditional tourist districts such as To Kwa Wan and Hung Hom for shopping has caused road obstruction, and the meal arrangements for the visitors were also unsatisfactory, the TIA said it did not receive any complaints concerning IMTGs. 

Don't miss: Over 377k mainland tourists leave HK during first 3 days of 'golden week'

Most recently, over 377,000 tourists from mainland China have left Hong Kong over the first three days of the Labour Day "golden week" holiday, of which the number of mainland tourists departing the city was the highest on 1 May. Meanwhile, about 451,000 crossed the border into the city over the past three days. 

According to the official figures on Immigration Department website, the number of mainland tourists (134,177) departing the city was the highest on 1 May, compared with the first two days, 132,486 on 30 April and 110,547 on 29 April. Meanwhile, the first day of the "golden week", 29 April, saw over 165,000 mainland tourists entering the city, much higher than 129,349 on 1 May and 156,313 on 30 April. 

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