Northstar

FEATURE www.travelweeklyweb.com Hong Kong expects another good year for 2012 Hong Kong's traditional amidst its newer developments Hong Kong had a smashing year last year and expects to do better for 2012, anticipating an increase of 5.5 per cent with arrivals forecasted at 44.233 million. Inbound tourism expenditure are expected to top HK$269.1 billion (US$34.66 billion), an increase of 6.4 per cent. If it achieves what it expects, it will beat the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's (UNWTO) forecast of global tourism growing mildly at three to four per cent in 2012 – down from the four to 4.5 per cent range in 2011. Hong Kong had a bumper year in 2011 when arrivals saw an increase to 41.92 million, up 16.4 per cent from the 36.03 million that visited in 2010. According to fi gures compiled by Hong Kong Tourism Board, in 2011, its hotels achieved an average hotel occupancy of 89 per cent at an average room rate of HK$1,356. Its average length of stay was not available, but in 2010, it Major markets The America Europe, Africa & the Middle East Australia, New Zealand & South Pacifi c North Asia South & Southeast Asia Taiwan Macau SAR/ Not identifi ed Mainland China Arrivals by market segment 4 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | 20 MARCH 2012 2011 1,821,096 2,194,319 757,871 2,304,683 3,751,149 2,164,750 843,330 28,100,129 achieved 3.6 days. Its major market was mainland China, which represented 67 per cent or 28.1 million of total arrivals. The infl ow from China outweighed all the others put together. The booming Chinese economy and its high currency versus the Hong Kong dollar prompted many mainland Chinese to pay "consumption visits" to Hong Kong in 2011. The overnight MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) visitor arrivals in 2011 reached 1,562,940, a 9.3 per cent increase over 2010. Of this, 42.9 per cent (+12.1 per cent) were from mainland China, and 16.4 per cent from South and Southeast Asia (+10.9 per cent). Market share(%) 4.3% 5.2% 1.8% 5.5% 8.9% 5.1% 2.0% 67% Appreciation of major currencies against its dollar encouraged MICE organisers, to select Hong Kong as destination. Last July, the biggest battery manufacturer in India organised an incentive trip to Hong Kong for over 1,400 dealers. According to Simon Wong, regional director for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong Tourism Board, arrivals from Southeast Asia would continue to grow, particularly from the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore. "With digital marketing becoming more engaging and popular, it is an effective medium that we will leverage on for promotions and collaboration with our partners. "We will also strengthen our coops with airlines partners to develop special promotions and creative campaigns to promote Hong Kong. We are also looking at working with third parties corporate organisation to gain extra visibilities," Wong added. www.travelweeklyweb.com

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