Some hotels and restaurants are enjoying a business boost of as much as 20 per cent ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament and art mega-events, driving up activity in what is typically a low season for tourism, industry insiders have said. Jack Cheung Ki-tang, a director of CTS HK Metropark Hotels Management, said on Tuesday that there was a noticeable surge in long-haul tourists during March, correlating with major events such as the Rugby Sevens. “We’ve seen a clear increase in occupancy rates compared to February,” he said. “There is significant growth from regions like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.” He said the number of US and Canadian tourists had risen 4 per cent, while there was an uptick of 1 per cent for British visitors and 5 per cent for those from Europe. He also noted such visitors were more willing to spend and invest in longer stays in premium accommodation. “These guests typically stay for three to four nights,” he said, adding they could easily spend HK$3,600 (US$463) on accommodation, compared with HK$1,200 to HK$1,400 over two nights for short-haul visitors. Cheung also said while mainland Chinese visitors still made up most visitors, there had been a noticeable change in proportion during March. “Mainland tourists made up 60 to 67 per cent in February but in March that number is around 51 per cent,” Cheung said. This year’s Sevens tournament will be held from March 28 to 30 and will take place at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park for the first time, which has a 50,000-seat stadium. Art Basel, meanwhile, will take place on the same days at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Association of Restaurant Managers spokesman Jonathan Leung Chun said the industry had observed a surge in business throughout March, traditionally a lull period following the Lunar New Year holiday. He attributed this unexpected boost to a confluence of events, including the Sevens and Art Basel. “We’re seeing a definite increase,” he said. “Around a 20 per cent rise compared with typical figures for this time of year.” Leung also noted a shift in tourist demographics, with a noticeable uptick in Southeast Asian visitors alongside the prevailing mainland tourists. “We’ve seen more people who speak a little Cantonese or English, suggesting a diverse origin,” he said. However, he also pointed to a disparity in spending patterns. “It’s no longer a uniform boom,” Leung said. “We’re seeing intense concentration in ‘social media-famous’ shops and specific areas, while regular restaurants see less benefit.” Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said the atmosphere at events such as the Sevens encouraged spending. “People are willing to pay for premium drinks and meals, and they tend not to be too concerned about individual prices,” he said. He said that even within the Sevens venue, high-priced items such as wine were being sold. Wong also had high hopes for businesses in Kowloon, following the Sevens’ move to Kai Tak, especially for small to medium-sized restaurants near the stadium. Wong also acknowledged Art Basel’s role in attracting a different demographic. “Art Basel brings in a more art-focused crowd, and this has a positive impact on businesses in areas like Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Central,” he said. Travel Industry Council executive director Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan said the rugby tournament was successful in attracting all types of tourists, both short- and long-haul, especially from countries such as Australia and New Zealand. But she also noted a rise in interest from mainland rugby fans, mostly young individuals who were drawn by the novelty and vibrant atmosphere. While rugby was not a traditionally popular sport on the mainland, Yeung said: “They find it interesting because this is something new for them.” She added such fans often travelled independently, and showed a willingness to spend on dining and accommodation, mirroring the trend of young mainlanders attending concerts and other cultural events in Hong Kong. “In fact, those who come to see rugby or art events usually stay overnight here, so we consider them high-value guests,” she said. Yeung also highlighted the interplay between such events and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, or MICE, sector. “Many companies choose to hold or attend meetings or conferences that fall around the same time as these popular events,” she said. According to the Tourism Board, MICE visitors tend to spend about HK$8,000 per person per trip, significantly more than the HK$5,500 by regular overnight travellers.