Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the second quarter of 2021 dropped by 3.91% year-on-year to 116.93. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower hotel room rates and falling airfares; yet, it was partially offset by rising charges for restaurant services and dearer prices of clothing. Among the various sections of goods and services, price indices of Accommodation (-30.23%) and Transport & Communications (-9.96%) declined year-on-year, whereas the indices of Clothing & Footwear (+5.61%) and Restaurant Services (+4.44%) increased.
In comparison with the previous quarter, TPI for the second quarter of 2021 rose by 0.99%. New arrival of summer clothing and dearer prices of local food products drove up the price indices of Clothing & Footwear and Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco by 8.25% and 5.64% respectively. On the other hand, price index of Accommodation dipped by 9.09% quarter-to-quarter due to lower hotel room rates.
The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the second quarter of 2021 dropped by 11.67% from the previous period; the price index of Accommodation plunged by 45.33%, and the indices of Transport & Communications and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 5.43% and 5.22% respectively. For the first half of 2021, TPI went down by 9.86% year-on-year, with the price indices of Accommodation and Transport & Communications falling by 45.91% and 10.59% respectively. By contrast, price indices of Restaurant Services (+2.08%) and Clothing & Footwear (+1.94%) registered growth.
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.