Hong Kong - The number of visitors to Hong Kong fell by 14 per cent in June compared to the same month last year, preliminary figures from the city's tourism board showed Tuesday.

Board chairman James Tien blamed the decrease in visitor on the economic crisis and a reaction to strict anti-swine flu measures which have quarantined some infected visitors.

The former British colony of 7 million people attracted a record total nearly 30 million visitors in 2008, but that figure included one-day visits.

Visitors from mainland China, where cross-border travel restrictions were substantially eased in 2003, account for more than half of Hong Kong's total tourist arrivals. (dpa)