Statistics released by Hong Kong Entry Department show that about 380,000 mainland tourists visited Hong Kong during the October Golden Week holiday of this year, declining by 8% compared with that of 2005.

Clara Chong, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, explains this is because of the expansion of individual trips to Hong Kong which allows more consumers in mainland China to visit Hong Kong at other times of the year on their own and without a tour group.

During the 7-day holiday, Hong Kong Tourism Board says it also received many complaints about unwanted shopping services provided bysome low-fare travel groups.

Chong says that they will discuss these matters with the China National Tourism Administration and will cooperate with the mainland to provide more information for mainland tourists and assist them to choose credible travel agencies.