Hk eyes tourist windfall amid japan crisis

HONG Kong's travel sector and shopping malls said on Friday they were expecting a windfall this Easter with tourists avoiding quake-hit Japan as it battles a nuclear crisis. Businesses in the glitzy financial hub were upbeat on higher sales, as Japan struggles to recover from the March 11 quake and tsunami which devastated the northeast and crippled a nuclear power plant which has been leaking radiation.

Travel Industry Council director Joseph Tung said business was looking good as visitors, mostly mainland Chinese, look to Hong Kong as an alternative destination for the upcoming public holidays.

"People are steering clear of Japan because of the ongoing crisis," he told AFP, adding he expected to see a 15 percent increase in arrivals during the Easter and Labour Day holidays compared with last year.

"We expect a lot of visitors will flock to the city," he said, adding the city had also seen an uptick in business at hotels and offices as company executives relocate from Japan.

Source: Relax.com