Fifty percent of those questioned said they would be happy to visit a Sars-affected area within a month of the World Health Organisation travel advisory being lifted. The WHO lifted its advisory on Hong Kong and Guangdong on 23 May.

Click here to read the full survey

This is good news for Hong Kong's trade fair industry, with major events planned from July through to the end of the year. The first major international fairs, Hong Kong Fashion Week (July 8 - 11) and Hong Kong Houseware, Gifts and Premium Fair (July 23 - 26), are expected to attract large numbers of overseas buyers.

No need to increase lead time for suppliers

In its online survey, Global Sources asked 510 buyers from 86 markets about their sourcing needs. The survey also revealed that while Sars had impacted their business travel plans, its impact on the sourcing process has been less dramatic, with most respondents seeing no need to change the lead times they give their suppliers. Only 8.43 percent of respondents said they expected a "major increase" in lead times. Almost 32 percent said they expected "some increase" and 50 percent said there would be no change.

70 percent say no change in orders from Sars-affected areas

Adding evidence to the conclusion that sourcing has continued largely unchecked by Sars, 70.2 percent of respondents said they had not changed the size of their orders from affected areas. Countering concerns by some suppliers, almost 10 percent of buyers said they had decided to increase orders. Only 5.7 percent said they had substantially decreased order sizes.

Packed programme of trade fairs offer great choice, value and delivery times

International buyers are expected to flock to Hong Kong for the upcoming Hong Kong Fashion Week (July 8 - 11) and Hong Kong Houseware, Gifts and Premium Fair (July 23 - 26). Some 3,700 exhibitors will participate in the combined houseware, gifts and premium fair, offering a wide range of low, mid and high-end products.

Highly attractive flight and hotel packages being offered by Cathay Pacific in partnership with the Trade Development Council, are being snapped up by buyers from the US, Europe and Japan. Click here for more details.

To celebrate Hong Kong's return to full business normality, gala events and street parties have been organised to welcome buyers to the fashion and houseware/gifts fairs.

For more details visit:
Hong Kong Fashion Week
Hong Kong Houseware Fair
Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair