Hong Kong welcomed 1,831,699 visitors in March, the month's best record and a 5.7% increase on last year. 

Cumulative growth in arrivals for the first quarter of the year was 10.8%. Stimulated by increased air capacity and attractive fares from several key markets, and strong interest in the Rugby World Cup Sevens, most markets showed double-digit growth on March last year.

Arrivals from South & Southeast Asia grew 32.5% to 201,218; from Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific by 35.8% to 49,921; from North Asia by 28.2% to 153,689; from the Americas by 23.8% to 143,153; and from Europe, Africa & the Middle East by 23.9% to 156,888.

The International Jewellery Show, the International Fabric Show and the International Film & TV Market also contributed.

On track

Arrivals from the Mainland and Taiwan fell 4.8% to 932,243 visitors and 6% to 156,370, due to the travel slowdown after the Lunar New Year holidays. However, Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong said despite these two figures, Hong Kong is on track to meet its forecast 7.3% growth for 2005 overall.

"Provisional figures for April show the Mainland market continues to grow, with cumulative arrivals ahead of those for 2004," she said.

"Nonetheless, given the recent anti-Japanese protests, which might affect the travel desire of Japanese and Mainland visitors, we are keeping a watchful eye on the marketplace so we can respond flexibly and proactively to any variations in consumer sentiment."

In March, 62.1% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, compared with 63% last year. The remaining 37.9% were classified as "same-day in-town" visitors.