Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the second quarter of 2016 dropped by 7.00% year-on-year to 125.19. Notable decrease in hotel accommodation charges and airfares drove down the price index of Accommodation by 29.27%, with the year-on-year decline accelerating since the fourth quarter of 2014; meanwhile, price index of Transport & Communications dropped by 11.32% year-on-year. On the other hand, price index of Restaurant Services and Miscellaneous Goods rose by 1.98% and 1.84% respectively.

In comparison with the previous quarter, TPI for the second quarter of 2016 decreased by 8.25%. Price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications fell by 32.37% and 17.13% respectively on account of marked decrease in hotel room rates and airfares after the Lunar New Year. On the contrary, new arrival of summer clothing & footwear and dearer prices of handbags drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear by 4.74% quarter-to-quarter.

The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the second quarter of 2016 fell by 4.86% from the previous period, with notable decrease being observed in the price index of Accommodation (-18.32%) and Clothing & Footwear (-3.10%). For the first half year of 2016, TPI went down by 6.83% year-on-year, of which price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications decreased by 26.10% and 4.35% respectively; meanwhile, price index of Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco and Restaurant Services increased by 2.42% and 1.71% respectively.

TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.