Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated thatthe Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the first quarter of 2017 went down by 5.45% year-on-year to 129.00, declining further from the decrease of 4.48% in the fourth quarter of 2016. The decline was attributable to lower charges for hotel accommodation, reduced airfares and lower prices of handbags that pushed down the price indices of Transport & Communications, Accommodation and Clothing & Footwear significantly by 21.16%, 14.39% and 9.50% respectively year-on-year. On the contrary, price indices of Restaurant Services and Entertainment & Cultural Activities increased by 4.86% and 4.59% respectively year-on-year, on account of higher charges for restaurant services and dearer prices of leisure goods such as fireworks and firecrackers during the Lunar New Year.
In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2016, TPI for the first quarter of 2017 decreased by 4.42%. Price indices of Clothing & Footwear and Accommodation dropped by 13.89% and 10.15% respectively due to seasonal sale of handbags and women’s winter clothing, as well as lower hotel room rates. However, the price indices of Entertainment & Cultural Activities and Restaurant Services rose by 2.11% and 2.08% respectively quarter-to-quarter.
The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the first quarter of 2017 fell by 5.11% from the previous period, of which price indices of Accommodation and Transport & Communications decreased by 18.64% and 15.88%. Meanwhile, price indices of Restaurant Services and Miscellaneous Goods increased by 3.13% and 2.10% 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.