Hong Kong Tour Numbers To Mainland Down 50% After Earthquake

The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong says that the number of Hong Kong-organized tour groups to mainland China has decreased by 30% to 50% during the period following Sichuan's earthquake.

After the earthquake, Sichuan's attractions, including Jiuzhaigou which was not affected by the earthquake, suspended their tourism business as required by the China National Tourism Administration. As a result, Hong Kong travel agencies also suspended sending tour groups to Sichuan, while the number of local residents intending to travel to other tour destinations in mainland China also decreased.

Dong Yaozhong from the the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong said that Sichuan is still focusing on the relief and reconstruction work so it is not suitable for tourism yet. He expected that Hong Kong tour groups would start to travel to Sichuan by the end of this year, and hoped the tourism business to the attractions such as Leshan and Emeishan could be restored in a short period. Dong said that the number of Hong Kong tour groups with itineraries to other parts of mainland China especially Yunnan, Hunan, and Guizhou had also decreased by 30% to 50%.