National Day Golden Week to expect 5% rise in mainland visitors

Ahead of the Chinese Mainland's National Day Golden Week on Wednesday, the Travel Industry Council estimates that the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong will increase by 5% year on year.

The council anticipates between 1.25 and 1.29 million mainland holidaymakers will visit Hong Kong during the Golden Week.

It also expects an influx of multi-destination travellers, with close to half likely staying overnight, which the city has the capacity to accommodate.

As for the new reservation system to visit the Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung, almost half the bookings during the recent Mid-Autumn Festival long weekend did not turn up.

The Travel Industry Council supports introducing a fee-based booking mechanism with some spots allocated to tour groups.