The provisional total arrivals in Hong Kong in 2008 reached 29.5 million, a 4.7% rise compared with 2007, the Tourism Board said today.

The Mainland continued to be the leading source market, contributing 55% of the total arrivals.

The global economic slowdown affected almost all international markets, and the Mainland adjusted its visa policy in the second half of 2008, offsetting the increase in arrivals recorded in the first half of the year.

The growth of short-haul markets has narrowed, while long-haul markets recorded a single-digit drop.