The effects of protests for universal suffrage on Hong Kong’s economy so far are predicted to be minimal, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing forecasts and industry sources. Although some forecasts are now lowering original projections of 2% growth in the fourth quarter to something closer to 0%, they also cite the general economic slowdown in China and the anticorruption drive, which has lowered tourism in the Hong Kong and Macau areas. However, a tourism industry representative claimed that the protests were contributing to lower than usual hotel occupancy rates, and suggested these rates could drop to the lowest in a decade if the protests don’t come to an end soon.
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