April tourist arrivals up 17.3 vs March39;s 38.6 rise yy
April jewellery sales down 28.7 yy vs March39;s 16.6 decline
Govt changing consumption patterns to pose challenges

HONG KONG, May 31 Reuters Hong Kong39;s April retail sales fell 14.7 from a year earlier, partly due to a drop in visitor spending and a surge in outbound trips during the Easter holidays, government data showed on Friday.

Sales decreased to HK29.6 billion 3.79 billion in the second consecutive month of decline following a 7 drop in March.

In volume terms, retail sales fell 16.5 yearonyear in April, compared with a revised 8.7 decline in March.

The changing consumption patterns of visitors and residents would continue to present challenges to the retail sector, a government spokesman said.

Nevertheless, the revival of inbound tourism, rising employment earnings, and the recent stabilisation of asset markets would provide support, the spokesman said, adding the government39;s efforts to promote a mega event economy would help.

Eight more Chinese cities have joined a scheme allowing their residents to travel to Hong Kong on their own, rather than as part of a tour group, in efforts to boost Hong Kong39;s economy. The total number of cities in the scheme is now 59.

Hong Kong will host more than 100 mega events, including entertainment, conference and exhibitions, in the second half of year.

April visitor arrivals stood at 3.39 million, up 17.3 from a yearago period, data from the Hong Kong…