Hong Kong’s economy grew 2.7 percent in the first quarter, John Lee reveals, while hailing ‘Golden Week’ tourism and the city’s ‘soft power’

“The series of large-scale promotional activities have helped boost tourism and consumption, boosting the economy,” Lee said.

Tour groups at the Ngong Ping 360 ropeway attraction in Tung Chung. Photo: May Tse

“Although exports are still declining in the first quarter, I believe that given the rapid growth of the mainland economy and the accelerated recovery of the city’s air transportation capacity, the economy will be better in the second quarter than in the first, and this year’s economic performance will be.” its better than last year.”

Tourists and locals crowd at a ferry dock in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Elson Li

He added that more than 760,000 tourists, including 320,000 mainlanders, visited the city during the first three days of Labor Day’s “golden week.”

Lee expressed confidence that the number of mainland visitors would reach 600,000 when the holiday season ends on Wednesday.

The executive director added that he has observed that tourists have different interests in places they want to see in Hong Kong, from “scenic places and historical sites to theme parks, shopping hotspots, landscape parks, secluded islands and small shops in local districts “. He added, “All of this fully demonstrates Hong Kong’s charisma and gentle power.”

Tourists shop for luxury goods in Hong Kong, with a long queue on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui in front of the Louis Vuitton store. Photo: Elson Li

Lee also denied allegations of unrest by tour groups in local neighborhoods like Kennedy Town or on islands like Cheung Chau. “I support diversity and creating more attractions for tourists,” he said.

“This will not only help tourism, but will also allow local developments to go hand-in-hand with tourism development, aiding overall job creation and economic development, and also a positive image of Hong Kong as very dynamic and attractive creates city.”