Hong Kong received 10 per cent more visitors during the Christmas period compared with last year, while residents made almost 1.7 million outbound trips, up 22 per cent over the same period, according to official statistics.
Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the retail sector warned the absence of fireworks could affect the number of visitors in the coming days, further dampening local consumption sentiment following the deadly fire in Tai Po.
“Because of the Tai Po fire, consumer sentiment weakened over the past three weeks, affecting overall retail sales,” said lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai, who represents the retail sector.
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“Coupled with the trend of residents heading north to spend on the mainland, I believe retail performance [over the Christmas period] may not be as strong as last year.”
The city experienced a more subdued festive atmosphere after Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades last month, which killed at least 161 people.
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Shiu said that while sales of essential products such as cosmetics appeared stronger, overall Christmas spending fell short of last year’s levels.