今年第一季大陆赴港游客减少

 　　Hong Kong has seen a decreasing number of tourists from the Chinese mainland in the first quarter of this year.

　　As for the Labor¹ Day holidays starting from today, tourism industry insiders say they are not optimistic about visitor arrivals in the city.

　　The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong predicts that the number of tourist groups that the city receives will decrease by 10 percent. Currently, 70 or 80 percent of hotel rooms in Hong Kong are reserved, which means fewer visitors and reduced retail² sales revenue.

　　Michael Wu, the chairman of the council says Hong Kong does not rank high in the minds of mainland tourists.

　　今年第一季大陆赴港游客减少

　　"When mainland tourists choose destinations, they are more likely to choose Japan or South Korea or Taiwan. If they take visa issues into consideration, they probably choose Hong Kong. Many of them just transfer at Hong Kong's airport, but they will not consume goods or services here."

　　According to the latest statistics from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the total number of visitors to the city decreased by one million in March 2015 when measured on a monthly basis. That was the third consecutive³ month the figure decreased.

　　Compared to last year, the number of tourists dropped almost 9 percent. Overnight visitor arrivals from the mainland decreased by 18 percent, about double the average drop rate.

　　Michael Li, executive director of the Federation⁴ of Hong Kong Hotel Owners notes that tourism in Hong Kong is still being affected⁵ by internal troubles and influences from other countries.

　　"On the one hand, prices in other places are lower, (for example), the Japanese currency has been devaluating, and some tourism destinations are visa-free now; on the other hand, conflicts between a small fraction of local residents and mainland visitors have had an impact on Hong Kong's image."

1 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

2 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

3 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

4 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

5 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。