2016年CRI HK Sees Largest Drop of Mainland Tourists During Spring Festival Holidays

 

Hong Kong has seen a 10 percent year-on-year decline in the number of mainland tourists during the Spring Festival holiday, while the number of mainland tourist groups plummeted¹ by 70 percent, to about 120 groups per day.

A rarely seen riot took place in Mong Kok on the first night of the new lunar calendar, in which more than 100 people were injured, with fires lit in the streets and bricks thrown at police.

Some mainland tourists say their itinerary² was not affected³ by the incident.

"I am planning to spend 10 to 20 thousand HK dollars to buy electronics, clothes and shoes. Hong Kong is a city ruled by law, and should be a safe place. I believe it is only a small fraction of people who are making trouble."

But others say they worry about their safety when traveling to the city.

"The clashes were scarier than I thought, because I've heard Hong Kong is a civilized⁴ society and people have good manners."

"I am a little bit worried about my safety. I don't feel very secure here."

Shop owners in Mong Kok say far fewer tourists visited their stores during the holiday this year.

"From Monday till now, no one would like to come to this area. There are more police than tourists. My business is not even half as good as last year, what can I do? What should I do after the holiday?"

Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung believes that local tourism will go through a tough time for quite a while, but the violence in Mong Kok does not appear to have put tourists off from coming to the city.

"The swift response from the police has reassured⁵ visitors that Hong Kong is still a safe destination. We haven't received any inquiries⁶ from abroad about the incident. I hope this is a solo case."

The first week in the lunar new year in Hong Kong, which was supposed to be a time of celebration and happiness, has proven to be eventful.

On Saturday morning, a large fire, suspected to be arson⁷, broke out in a parking lot, following a similar incident where dozens of rubbish bins⁸ near Mong Kok were set on fire during the week.

No evidence discovered yet has shown any connection between the fires and the riot.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.

1 plummeted   

v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Share prices plummeted to an all-time low. 股票价格暴跌到历史最低点。
• A plane plummeted to earth. 一架飞机一头栽向地面。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 itinerary   

n.行程表，旅行路线；旅行计划

参考例句：

• The two sides have agreed on the itinerary of the visit.双方商定了访问日程。
• The next place on our itinerary was Silistra.我们行程的下一站是锡利斯特拉。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 civilized   

a.有教养的，文雅的

参考例句：

• Racism is abhorrent to a civilized society. 文明社会憎恶种族主义。
• rising crime in our so-called civilized societies 在我们所谓文明社会中日益增多的犯罪行为

5 reassured   

adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The captain's confidence during the storm reassured the passengers. 在风暴中船长的信念使旅客们恢复了信心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The doctor reassured the old lady. 医生叫那位老妇人放心。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 inquiries   

n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释，等候进一步调查。
• I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 arson   

n.纵火，放火

参考例句：

• He was serving a ten spot for arson.他因纵火罪在服十年徒刑。
• He was arraigned on a charge of arson.他因被指控犯纵火罪而被传讯。

8 bins   

n.大储藏箱( bin的名词复数 )；宽口箱（如面包箱，垃圾箱等）v.扔掉，丢弃( bin的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Garbage from all sources was deposited in bins on trolleys. 来自各方的垃圾是装在手推车上的垃圾箱里的。 来自辞典例句
• Would you be pleased at the prospect of its being on sale in dump bins? 对于它将被陈列在倾销箱中抛售这件事，你能欣然接受吗？ 来自辞典例句