Arrivals from the mainland accounted for more than half of arrivals in the city last year there were about 12.32 million cross-border tourists, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.5 percent, according to statistics from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

Figures also show that the per capita spending of mainland visitors topped HK$4,554 last year, whereas visitors from elsewhere spent HK$4,663 on average.

Hong Kong has always been a preferred destination for "well-informed" mainland travel buffs who make their trips during Christmas and New Year holidays. Besides, Hong Kong has the reputation of being a shoppers' paradise unrivalled by any other city in China.

"The city has excellent tourism infrastructure and is more advanced in many other sectors compared with the rest of the country," says Zhang Xubing, assistant professor, Department of Management and Marketing of Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Most packages, including flights and a two or three nights' stay in a hotel, are booked well in advance during Christmas and New Year. Similar offers are available during other long holidays.

China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd, which organized 10 groups during Christmas, reported that 15 tourist groups are fully booked for the same period this year.

"Hong Kong is better than many other regions and countries in Asia and Europe as a travel destination for mainland tourists, especially during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, because the Chinese do not celebrate Christmas and cannot spare 10 days or more to enjoy authentic Christmas celebrations in Europe," says Liang Yuan, manager of the marketing department at China Travel International Ltd.

Hu Wei, a 47-year-old architect from Qingdao, said he had been the city many times and can easily make the travel arrangements on his own.

"I have been in Hong Kong so many times that I've lost track. It is an ideal place to buy watches and electronic items. There are more varieties both in type and design. I bought stylish timepieces for my entire family and I bought nearly all my electronic products from Hong Kong," says Hu.

"I very much like to visit in late December because the weather is pleasant and many stores offer discounts," Hu says.

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