More travellers are getting their oriental fix in Hong Kong this year, compared to last year

Visitors into Hong Kong have jumped to 35.37 million for the period January to September 2012, a year on year increase of 16.3 percent, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

Of these visitors, 17.41 million were overnight arrivals, which was an increase of 7.9 percent on previous year.

HKTB chairman The Hon James Tien said despite the uncertain global economic environment, which has impacted overall business arrivals and the performance of individual markets, total visitor arrivals to Hong Kong showed double-digit growth in the first three quarters of this year.

Commenting on the performance, Mr Tien said in addition to growth in the Mainland market, there is also an increase in visitor arrivals from both short-haul and long-haul market regions.

Growth rates for North Asia and Europe reached 12.5 percent and 7.5 percent respectively.

The HKTB has in recent years intensified its promotion in non-Southern China, investing over 75 percent of allocated resources on non-Southern China in an aim to open new visitor sources in second- and third-tier cities.

Looking towards the future, Mr Tien said steady growth is expected and they are on target to achieve the yearly target of 44 million arrivals.