IMMIGRATION AND TOURISM
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The United Kingdom Immigration Act 1971 changed the procedures for registra- tion as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies. In particular most applicants must now take the Oath of Allegiance. In certain circumstances registration became discretionary, making enquiries necessary into the applicant's background, as for naturalisation. During the year 1,018 applications for naturalisation were received (1,089 in 1972), plus 1,345 applications for registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (1,416 in 1972).
Illegal immigration caused concern. During the year 21,758 cases of illegal entry were recorded, an increase of 26 per cent over 1972. These figures do not tell the full story, as many illegal immigrants are not detected until long after their arrival, by which time it is often too late to attempt repatriation. During the year 389 persons, mostly illegal immigrants, were removed from Hong Kong under removal orders authorised by the Governor, an increase of 109 per cent over 1972. A few undesirable immigrants were also removed by this procedure. The Immigration Department took over responsibility for deportations from the police in May (except for security cases) and five persons were deported for life on the authority of the Governor in Council. Generally, deportation is reserved for serious criminal cases. Under the Immigration Ordinance, 4,422 prosecutions were instituted, mainly for illegal entry, contravention of landing conditions and false documentation—an increase of 92 per cent on last year's figure. Fines imposed totalled $1,470,585.
Tourism
The value of tourism to the economy became more apparent during the year. Gross earnings from tourism in 1973 were estimated at $2,400 million, an increase of six per cent over 1972. This on its own compensated for Hong Kong's entire balance of trade deficit in visible imports and exports. The revenue from tourism makes it Hong Kong's second largest foreign currency earner.
The number of visitors to Hong Kong in 1973 once again topped one million. The total number'was 1,291,950, an increase of 19.4 per cent over 1972. The trend towards younger tourists continued, and in 1973 visitors in the under-35 bracket represented 38 per cent of the total, an increase of 26 per cent over the previous year. Younger tourists generally have less money to spend, but tend to be more adventurous and demanding than their older counterparts.
Holiday traffic and business traffic registered larger market shares during 1973 at the expense of stop-over traffic and those who came to visit friends or relatives, indicating the growing significance of Hong Kong as a holiday destination and as a business and finance centre.
Japanese visitors continued to dominate the tourist market, and during the year they numbered 476,091—36.8 per cent of all visitors. This trend is expected to persist for a number of years. For the first time the proportion of Southeast Asian visitors surpassed that of American visitors, reflecting the growing affluence within the region and consequent increase in intra-regional travel. More American visitors also came to Hong Kong, the increase in 1973 over 1972 was 8.3 per cent, reversing the falling