Hong Kong Tourism Board: Hong Kong Christmas tourists expected to increase by 10% compared to last year, believing that the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong during the New Year holiday is ideal.

The Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Council, Yang Shufen, stated that it is estimated that the number of visitors to Hong Kong during Christmas will increase by 10% compared to last year, while Mainland China has a 3-day holiday for New Year's, and she believes that the number of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong during that time will be ideal. The focus should be on independent travel. According to her, the sales of high-speed rail tickets to more remote areas are good because airfares are high during peak seasons, but the prices for high-speed rail tickets remain the same throughout the year. The Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Lou Shupei, stated that the number of visitors during Christmas this year has increased. During the three days from December 25th to 27th, the daily number of visitors to Hong Kong has reached a record high since the outbreak, with a daily range of between 48,000 and nearly 51,000 people, of which overseas visitors account for 32%. Regarding the cancellation of the New Year's Eve fireworks due to the fire at the Ngau Tam Mei Fung building in Tai Po, only the New Year countdown event will be held, Yang Shufen pointed out that besides the countdown event organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Disneyland will also have similar activities, and there will be events in West Kowloon as well, all of which can highlight the convergence of Chinese and Western cultures in Hong Kong and create a festive atmosphere that is attractive to visitors. In addition, Yang Shufen mentioned that the "Hong Kong Industrial Brand Tourism" program launched in mid-month has been well-received by tourists, with the first group being Mainland visitors. The reservation period is open for 3 months and there are still spots available. She emphasized that there will be no deliberate increase in the number of participants, and the visit activities will depend on the designs of different factory buildings and routes. On average, there are two events per week, with each event accommodating approximately 20 people.