Business News
Hong Kong celebrates arrival of record 40 millionth visitor of 2011
Dec 21, 2011, 13:10 GMT
Hong Kong - Hong Kong on Wednesday welcomed its 40 millionth visitor of 2011 as tourist arrivals in the former British colony reached a record high.
Visitor arrivals to the city of 7.1 million have risen more than 16 per cent year-on-year and have exceeded 40 million for the first time, the Hong Kong Tourism Board announced.
Nancy Ryan from the United States was named as the 40 millionth visitor and was given gifts, including business class return tickets and a stay in the 5-star Peninsula Hotel.
Visitor arrival in Hong Kong have risen sharply since 2003, when cross-border travel restrictions were eased for people in mainland China.
Mainland China has accounted for more than 25 million of Hong Kong's 2011 visitors. Their numbers are up 24 per cent compared to 2010, while visitors from the Americas are up 3.7 per cent.
