Shenzhen's hotels have been accidental beneficiaries of the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in September after receiving 567,400 domestic tourists last month, a rise of 10.26 percent over the same period last year.

Most Disney fans from the inland areas chose to stay the night in Shenzhen hotels after spending the day in Hong Kong's Disneyland. Local hotels offer much more appealing prices than their Hong Kong peers, according to the Shenzhen Municipal Tourism Bureau.

From January to September, Shenzhen received 41.8 million tourists, among which 17.4 million were foreigners, The number of visitors from Thailand, South Korea and Singapore made up the largest growing segment.

The sector earned 17.3 billion yuan (US$2.1 billion), among which US$1.324 billion came from foreign visitors, up 6.2 percent and 5.67 percent respectively.

More than 422,700 Shenzheners joined tour groups going overseas in the past nine months, 4.01 percent up from the same period last year.

Editor: Wing