HK demonstrations expected to harm National Day tourism

Global Business

Tensions remain high in Hong Kong as the “Occupy Central” movement enters the fourth day. The National Day golden week holidays is normally a peak period for travelers but the protests are expected to deal a big blow to the city’s tourism. CCTV America’s Li Jiejun reports.

Since Monday, thousands of demonstrators have been holding mass sit-ins in Hong Kong’s major business and shopping districts, preventing traffic from flowing through the city center.

October normally accounts for Hong Kong’s second-highest period for retail sales. Many of the streets where tourists frequently visit have been blocked, and there are dramatically fewer tourists.

About 920,000 mainlanders came to Hong Kong in the first six days of October in 2013. Some experts expect the number will drop at least 20-30 percent this year.

CCTV America spoke with Kent Troutman, an analyst at the Peterson Institute of International Economics, about Hong Kong’s economy.