Short-haul tourist arrivals fall 15% amid strong Hong Kong dollar, fewer flights

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Hong Kong experienced a 15% decline in short-haul tourist arrivals in June, primarily due to higher fuel costs tied to the Middle East conflict and reduced flight capacity. Despite this, overall visitor numbers increased by 7%, driven mainly by a 10% rise in mainland Chinese arrivals.

Hong Kong’s short-haul visitor arrivals plunged 15 per cent in June despite overall growth, as higher fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict reduced flight capacity and weaker regional currencies dampened travel demand, the tourism board said. The Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Thursday the city received 3.72 million visitors last month, up 7 per cent from a year earlier, driven largely by a 10 per cent rise in mainland Chinese arrivals to 2.88 million. But the number of non-mainland...