HONG KONG — Visitor numbers to Hong Kong fell by nearly 40% in the second half of last year amid clashes between police and anti-government protesters. The Hong Kong Tourism Board on Wednesday said the numbers of those visiting the Asian financial hub started to drop off in July as protests against proposed legislation allowing extradition to China gathered pace. ADVERTISEMENTFor the last six months of 2019, visitor numbers fell by 39% against the same period a year before. The protests have lost momentum amid mass arrests by police and since major opposition wins in district council elections in November. Tourism, catering and retail industries suffered the biggest losses, with store receipts falling by 26% in October and November against the same months in 2018.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 15, 2020 11:37 UTC