As Christmas approaches – always a busy time for shoppers – department stores in Hong Kong have begun to raise their discount levels.

In order to attract more tourists, travel agencies are now working out special travel plans at low prices. The lowest price currently is 1600rmb for a 4-day round-trip to Hong Kong by air.

Industry analysts are forecasting that, because of this discount policy, by the end of 2004 there will be 10% more tourists in Hong Kong than during the same period last year.