A total of 725,236 visitor arrivals were recorded in Hong Kong in June 2003, according to figures issued Wednesday by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

While this represents a drop of 38.2 percent compared with the same month of 2002, it is a considerable improvement on the 67.9 percent shortfall recorded in May, showing that Hong Kong's recovery from the effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak on tourism is well under way.

Arrivals from the Chinese mainland showed a positive growth of 11 percent for the month, totaling 470,562 compared with the 423,763 recorded in June 2002. The mainland has been one of the earliest markets to show recovery since a ban on outbound tours from Guangdong was lifted at the beginning of June, although bans on tours from other provinces were not lifted until July 9.

In addition, the average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guest houses in June was 34 percent, compared with 79 percent in June 2002, according to HKTB.

HKTB Deputy Executive Director Grace Lee noted that there was still a long way to go before arrivals returns to the pre-SARS level, but the trend now looked very encouraging. "We are confident the recovery will gain further momentum," the HKTB official said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2003)