Protests hit tourist footfall in Hong Kong, arrivals down by 40% in August

Hong Kong (TAN): The ongoing protests in Hong Kong are adversely affecting the region’s tourism industry.

According to a report in Bloomberg, tourist arrivals in the city declined almost by 40% in August as compared to the same period last year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote in a blog post Sunday. Hotel occupancy rates have plunged and room rates have decreased 40-70%, he added.

[ALSO READ: Ho Chi Minh City looks to welcome 8.5 million foreign tourists in 2019]

Hong Kong has been on the boil in recent months.

The protests began in June over the government’s plans – now withdrawn –  that would have allowed extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China. The protests have spread to reflect wider demands for democratic reform in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China.

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