More than 280,000 Mainlanders are expected to visit Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week holiday, Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng says, adding that the Government and the tourism sector are well prepared to handle the tourist influx.

Speaking on an RTHK news programme this morning, Ms Cheng said an inter-departmental working group has drawn up measures to prepare for the expected influx.

To enhance the flow of visitors at the boundary control points, she said designated counters will be set up at Lo Wu Arrival Hall for clearing tour groups, and tour groups are requested to cross the boundary through Lo Wu between October 1 and 4.

The Immigration Department will consider extending the operating hours of the Lo Wu Control Point if necessary, she added.

In addition, she said, major improvement works at Lok Ma Chau will be completed by the end of September to cope with the increasing passenger flow.

Ms Cheng said the Government will enhance the measures to protect consumers rights. It will also step up its liaison and communication with the Guangdong authorities to ensure the smooth flow of information.

She said up to now, about 90% of of three-star hotel rooms have been booked for Golden Week, adding that the hotel room prices this year are more or less similar to the level last year.

To promote the quality of local guides, they will have to pass through an accreditation programme before next July, Ms Cheng said.

Extra staff to handle Golden Week

Assistant Director of Immigration Henry Siu said about 335 officers would be deployed to work at boundary control points during the National Day Golden Week.

The department has also frozen applications for leave and training programmes during the period. To address the long-term manpower issue, Mr Siu added, they have submitted a proposal to authorities to increase staff.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, he said about 4.5 million Mainland visitors were expected to pass Hong Kong during the period, including 3.4 million by land.

Among the latter, 2.4 million would go through the Lo Wu Control Point, with a peak of 370,000 people on October 4.

Mr Siu said the extension works at the coach parking area at Lok Ma Chau would be finished before Golden Week to enhance traffic flow.  

Officials have also set up 102 expeditious clearance systems at busier control points to shorten the clearance time by about 10%.

No increase in crime cases due to individual visits

Assistant Commissioner of Police Lo Yik Kee said on the programme that crime cases have not risen markedly since the individual visits started.

Those Mainland visitors who did get involved in crime generally engaged in prostitution, illegal employment and overstaying. The number of these cases is minimal, though, he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Ronald Fok said on Metro Radio that Police will step up patrols at tourist points during the Golden Week Holiday.

He stressed that the "individual visit scheme" did not have an adverse effect on Hong Kong's law and order situation.

Figures showed that of 10,000 Mainland visitors, only three were found to have been involved in local crimes, he added.