Chinese tour groups to Hong Kong plunge 86% for Golden Week

Fewer tourists: Chinese tourists take selfies near the evening skyline of Hong Kong. Paranoid they could be targeted in the leaderless protests and wary after seeing footage of vandalised subway stations, Chinese tourists are staying away this year. — AP

HONG KONG: The first week of October – China’s national holiday break during which millions head out on vacation – marks one of the busiest periods for Hong Kong’s tourism and retail industry.

As this year’s “Golden Week” holiday approaches, the city’s tour guides, hotel owners and shop assistants are staring down an abyss of empty planes, vacant hotel rooms and ghostly theme parks as anti-China protests enter their 17th week, scaring tourists away.