HONG KONG, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- High numbers of tourists from mainland China are fueling Hong Kong's tourist industry, but individual spending is down.
In the first three days of China's "golden week" holiday, which began Oct. 1, 164,000 mainland Chinese tourists came to Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post reported Tuesday. But the Tourism Board says they are likely to spend less than the $750 per person they spent last year.
The Travel Industry Council said visitors from the mainland during the weeklong holiday would probably exceed an original estimate of 400,000. Almost 70 percent are traveling on an individual basis, bypassing tour operators.
The easing of visa restrictions on travel to Hong Kong means people are coming more often and stocking up on fewer items for relatives back home, the report said.
Mainland tourists are buying fewer luxury goods, including gold and jewelry, while cosmetics and mobile phones remain popular.
