HK expects sharp decline in tour groups from China

Hong Kong

HONG KONG expects to welcome about half as many tour groups from China for the May 1 Labour Day holiday as the city's tourism industry tackles overseas competition and cross-border tensions which may encourage mainland visitors to travel elsewhere.

Joseph Tung, executive director of Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong which represents the city's tourism operators, said the number of mainland tour groups visiting Hong Kong had fallen 40-50 percent in the last few months, and a softer trend was expected.