Tourism arrivals of Hong Kong hit a new record of more than 2.1 million in August, up 2.6 percent over the same month last year, according to the Tourism Board of Hong Kong.

The Tourism Board said Tuesday that the increase was largely driven by the robust performance in several long-haul markets.

Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific registered 42.8 percent growth, which boosted monthly arrivals from the region to 47,947.

Europe, Africa and the Middle East grew 29.6 percent, to 138,739, while South and Southeast Asia saw year-on-year growth of1.8 percent with 175,613 arrivals.

About 65.8 percent of all visitors in August stayed for at least one night.

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2005)