Hong Kong retailers, caterers enjoy National Day break business growth of up 20%

Hong Kong retailers and caterers have reported business growth of up to 20 per cent year on year during mainland China’s National Day “golden week” break, with one tourist spending a whopping HK$1 million (US$128,500) on international brands, business leaders have said.

Industry leaders said stores selling gold, jewellery and cosmetic products emerged as the big winners as the eight-day break wrapped up on Wednesday, while cha chaan teng were the top dining choice, followed by Chinese restaurants.

Cha chaan teng are Hong Kong-style cafes known for their affordable comfort food and for their blend of East-meets-West culinary influences.

The catering and retail sector enjoyed satisfactory holiday footfall, with growth of up to 20 per cent from last year’s break, business representatives added.

According to the Immigration Department, 1.29 million mainland visitors headed to Hong Kong in the first seven days of the holiday, up by 6.4 per cent from last year.

The number of arrivals, excluding mainland travellers and Hong Kong residents, increased by nearly 27 per cent to about 210,000.