Chinese mainland travelers remain the highest contributor to total arrivals in first quater, with over 3 million mainlanders visited HK during the period, Hong Kong Tourism Board said Thursday.

According to the board, travelers from mainland grew 4.1 percent in the first quarter, including 1.3 million, or 44.9 percent, traveling as individuals. Cumulative growth in arrivals for the first quarter of the year was 10.8 percent. Stimulated by increased air capacity and attractive fares from several key markets, and strong interest in the Rugby World Cup Sevens, most markets showed double-digit growth on March last year.

The board said Hong Kong welcomed 1,831,699 visitors in March, the month's best record and a 5.7 percent increase on last year.

Arrivals from the mainland and Taiwan in March fell 4.8 percent and 6 percent due to the travel slowdown after the Lunar New Year holidays. However, Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong said despite these two figures, Hong Kong is on track to meet its forecast 7.3 percent growth for 2005 overall. "Provisional figures for April show the mainland market continues to grow, with cumulative arrivals ahead of those for 2004," she said.

Source: Xinhua