Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2018 increased by 0.90% year-on-year to 130.78. The increase was mainly attributable to rising charges for hotel accommodation and restaurant services, as well as dearer prices of local food products. Meanwhile, falling prices of handbags, clothing and jewellery tapered off part of the increase. Among the various sections of goods and services, notable rise was observed in the price indices of Accommodation (+5.57%) and Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+4.29%). On the other hand, price indices of Clothing & Footwear and Miscellaneous Goods decreased by 7.49% and 1.94% respectively year-on-year.
In comparison with the previous quarter, TPI for the third quarter of 2018 increased by 0.71%. Price index of Accommodation rose by 9.14% owing to higher hotel room rates during the summer holidays. Meanwhile, seasonal sale of summer clothing and handbags drove down the price index of Clothing & Footwear by 7.91% quarter-to-quarter.
The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the third quarter of 2018 rose by 3.88% from the previous period, with significant increases in the price indices of Accommodation (+13.72%), Transport & Communications (+5.06%) and Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+4.10%) while the index of Clothing & Footwear decreased by 2.71%. For the first three quarters of 2018, TPI went up by 3.28% year-on-year, with the price indices of Accommodation, Transport & Communications and Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco rising by 10.90%, 4.46% and 4.35% respectively. By contrast, price index of Clothing & Footwear fell by 1.90%.
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.