The Environmental Protection Department said it does not tolerate concrete batching plants operating without a licence and will make every effort to stop any illegal operations. The department made the statement in response to media reports yesterday of a concrete batching plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong continuing to operate without holding a valid Specified Process Licence (SPL). The department has been closely monitoring the operation of two plants, both owned by China Concrete. The other plant is at 22 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong. Regarding the plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street, the Air Pollution Control Appeal Board dismissed an appeal lodged by China Concrete against the department’s refusal of its application for renewal of an SPL for the plant on November 22. Under the Air Pollution Control (Specified Processes) Regulations, the plant’s SPL ceased to be valid with immediate effect and the department issued a letter requesting that all works be halte
The Government today said the number matched the estimate made before the holidays of around one million visitors, adding that different arrangements for receiving travellers were rolled out smoothly.
From September 29 to yesterday, the daily average was around 140,000 inbound Mainland visitors, 10% higher than the Labour Day Holiday Golden Week.
Compared with pre-pandemic levels, it reached about 85% and 70% of the National Day Golden Weeks from 2017 to 2019 and 2017 to 2018 respectively.
The Government said the arrival of Mainland inbound visitors peaked on National Day at around 180,000.
The Express Rail Link West Kowloon received the highest daily average number of inbound Mainland visitors, followed by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line.
As for large-scale events, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals held at Victoria Park attracted around 200,000 visitors; the Tai Hang fire dragon dance parade around 48,000 participants; and about 430,000 spectators enjoyed the National Day Fireworks Display.
The Government pointed out that major tourist attractions recorded high volumes of visitor flow, with those to individual tourist attractions approaching or exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Statistics from the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed that the overall hotel occupancy rate reached 90%.
Among the Mainland visitors who visited Hong Kong, 45% were overnight visitors, similar to the proportion of the National Day Golden Weeks from 2017 to 2018.
Visitor satisfaction rates regarding catering, shopping and sightseeing reached 90% or above.
In addition, as expected by the Government and the trade, the National Day Golden Week was not the peak season for tour groups.
According to the Travel Industry Authority's registration information, around 780 Mainland inbound tour groups came to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week, involving around 26,800 visitors, accounting for about 2% of the overall number.
Tour groups were generally in good order, and so far the authority has not received complaints on coerced shopping.
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung thanked different government departments, various tourism-related organisations and the trade for their unreserved effort in bringing a fabulous travel experience to visitors.
He said the Government will review various operations in order to prepare for future co-ordination work and enhance visitors' experience.
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