Government data shows visitor numbers to Hong Kong declined 40 % YoY in 2015 , the first fall in over a decade , driven by a drop Chinese tourists , who account for almost three - quarters of all visitors to Hong Kong . Ricky Tse , Chairman of the Hong Kong Inbound Tour Operators Association , told Reuters he expects the downward trend to continue in 2016 , as the strong Hong Kong dollar makes other Asian destinations such as Japan and South Korea comparatively cheaper . Chinese tourist groups to Hong Kong fell by 40 % in 2015 and could fall as much as 60 % in the first half of this year ; and a move away from pure shopping trips may hurt retailers , particularly at the luxury end ; a jewellery chain expects to close up to six stores this fiscal year .
Government data shows visitor numbers to Hong Kong declined 2.5% YoY in 2015, the first fall in over a decade, driven by a drop Chinese tourists, who account for almost three-quarters of all visitors to Hong Kong. Ricky Tse, Chairman of the Hong Kong Inbound Tour Operators Association, told Reuters he expects the downward trend to continue in 2016, as the strong Hong Kong dollar makes other Asian destinations such as Japan and South Korea comparatively cheaper. Chinese tour groups to Hong Kong fell by 50% in 2015 and could fall as much as 60% in the first half of this year; and a move away from pure shopping trips may hit retailers, particularly at the luxury end; one jewellery chain expects to close up to six stores this fiscal year.