The number of visitors to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) surpassed 10 million people in the first five months of 2023, the Global Times learned from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).
It is expected that the prospects of Hong Kong's tourism recovery will be bright, with an estimated 26 million visitors for the whole year.
The robust rebound in the tourism sector would offer a strong buttress to the recovery of the Hong Kong economy, which has exhibited bright spots in key sectors, yet will still face external risks and challenges throughout the year.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Sunday that supporting local demand and spending is the city's strategy in the short- and medium-term, especially in the first half, as a key way to stabilize the economy.
In April and May, visitor arrivals stood at more than 50% of the pre-pandemic level, compared with about 30-40% in the February-March period, according to a statement the HKTB sent to the Global Times on Sunday.
In particular, visitors from the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia in May bounced to more than 60% of the pre-pandemic level. More mainland tourists traveled to Hong Kong via high-speed railways, the statement showed.
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