Lunar New Year visitors to Hong Kong are expected to grow 7.1 percent to 660,000 this year, the Tourism Board said Tuesday.

The board's Executive Director Clara Chong said this year's highlight, a grand parade, has "Kaleidorama" as its theme. Four segments will focus on the core strengths of Hong Kong -- "Glitter" to display the city's dazzling colors and festive lights, "Culture & Traditions" to demonstrate the array of Chinese provincial celebrations and customs, "Lifestyle" to highlight the fascinating fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, and "Entertainment" to showcase the many events and activities catering to visitors' different tastes.

Chong said the event may attract a record 300,000 spectators, and more local residents will be encouraged to spend the holiday season in the city, thereby boosting local consumption.

The event will be televised live on TV and will also be broadcast on the mainland and overseas. Last year, the global publicity value of the parade exceeded 100 million HK dollars (US$12.8 million), said the Tourism Board.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2005)