(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-25 16:05

Unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in 9.5 years and mortgage delinquency has fallen to a record low while new mortgages are rising steadily.

Thousands of people flocked to Lan Kwai Fong, the well-known evening party area on Hong Kong's namesake main island, packing the bars amid joyful Christmas music there.

"Consumers seem to have loosened their belts and are willing to spend more because of the better economy," said a hotel staff. " Last year, bookings were full a few days before Christmas. But this year, it was already full weeks before the festive season."

The number of people booking an expensive package on a South America tour had more than doubled to about 30, the English- language South China Morning Post reported Tuesday.

Others had chosen to spend Christmas Eve at Ocean Park Hong Kong, a popular theme park on the Hong Kong island, or its competitor Hong Kong Disneyland, where activities were staged to simulate the snow-covered Christmas world with the Mickey Mouse.

Many visitors from the mainland and other areas were also spending Christmas in Hong Kong, with some craving a shopping carnival in China's melting-pot world city.

Visitors said they enjoyed the festive spirit on Christmas Eve in Hong Kong while some local residents said it was a colder but lovelier evening, referring to a sharp drop in local temperature from around 20 degrees Celsius to around 15 degrees.

   1 2   

   1 2