The Hong Kong Tourism Board has reported that the number of tourist arrivals in the SAR hit a record 16.86 million in the first half of 2010 — up 23.1% from the previous year.

The report adds that in June a total of 2.62 million tourists visited Hong Kong, up 43.5% year on year.

The tourism board also points out that the Chinese mainland has become a major source of tourists. In the first six months, 10.48 million mainland tourists visited Hong Kong — 26.9% more than in the same period of last year.

A spokesman for the board said the number of tourist arrivals would increase by 20% to 25% in the summer period, and the number may keep growing in the second half of 2010 if Europe recovers from its debt crisis and the global economic environment remains in good shape.