Culture chief: Q4 events to buoy annual visitor number target

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said Hong Kong will host more major events in the fourth quarter, and is confident the annual number of visitors will reach the 53.8 million target . During the mainland's recently concluded National Day Golden Week, the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong topped 1.41 million, nearly 10% higher than the government's expected tally.

Speaking on radio programme, Law said in the first nine months of this year, the number of visitors to Hong Kong was about 40.7 million, showing double-digit year-on-year growth. In Q4, the city will feature the Wine and Dine Festival alongside other major events which will further buoy visitor numbers especially among mainland and long-haul tourists.

As Guangdong yachts made their maiden southbound voyage on Friday, Law said the Tourism Board will promote more tourism projects along the coastline, with the aim to further drive economic growth.