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Hong Kong tourism bounces back, with visitor numbers up 52% year on year

  • More than 25 million visitors in first seven months of year; tourists from outside mainland China up 71 per cent

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A drone show designed for the Dragon Boat Festival in June drew thousands of onlookers. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong attracted more than 25 million tourists in the first seven months of the year, a 52 per cent year-on-year increase, and the number of visitors from outside mainland China also shot up by 71 per cent.

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The Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Thursday it planned to continue drone shows and fireworks displays to help lure visitors over peak holiday periods as it announced the latest provisional figures.

“On the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the board will present a festival-themed drone show,” the board said.

The festival, where people celebrate with family gatherings and by eating mooncakes, falls on September 17 this year.

The board added it would stage pyrotechnic displays and a drone show for “Hong Kong WinterFest” in November, as well as a fireworks display for the New Year countdown in December.

Tourists take in Hong Kong’s skyline at The Peak. Photo: Eugene Lee
Tourists take in Hong Kong’s skyline at The Peak. Photo: Eugene Lee

The special events are part of a campaign tourism authorities started in May to lure more visitors, with each attraction costing about HK$1 million (US$128,000) to stage.

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