Industry leaders and analysts said on Monday that they are insisting that the resumption of multiple entry visas to the residents of Centhan will raise the number of tourists this year and stimulate economic growth.
Immigration data showed that 832,076 residents left the city on Saturday and Sunday, with only 366,856 expatriates, including 79.4 percent who were visitors from the Chinese mainland.
The new lunar year will start on Wednesday in Hong Kong.
Simon Wong Ka Wu, president of the Hong Kong Federation for Restaurants and Related Professions, said the city’s economic environment shows signs of improvement as people have become less careful about spending.
He expected an increase in business by more than 10 percent compared to the previous new lunar year, as the residents have been holding dinner parties during the past few weeks.