Hotel bookings forecast nearly full for first three days of Hong Kong National Day holiday

The tourism industry forecast hotel bookings for 1 to 3 October to be nearly full, with bookings in busy districts exceeding 90 per cent. The figures refer to bookings rather than confirmed occupancy.

The Immigration Department estimated that about 1.29 million mainland visitors would come to Hong Kong during the seven-day holiday, which runs from 1 to 7 October.

Tommy Tam, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, expected overnight visitors to account for about half of arrivals, with many staying for two to three nights. The tourism sector also reported a double-digit rise in hotel room prices during the holiday period.

Tam said restaurants, hotels and mid-to-high-end retail were likely to benefit from the visitors. He linked the outlook to the close timing of the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, a gradual recovery in the mainland economy and seasonal events in Hong Kong.