Official data shows the number of visitors to Hong Kong climbed for the first time in 13 months, rising 2.6 percent in July. [File Photo: quanjing.com]

The number of visitors to Hong Kong climbed for the first time in 13 months, rising 2.6 percent in July, thanks to the return of the Chinese mainland visitors, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Wednesday.

In July, Mainland visitor arrivals recorded a 2.2 percent year-on-year increase. However, Mainland visitor from January to July fell 8.9 percent to 24 million, and the total number of visitors fell 6 percent to 32.2 million, comparing the same period last year.

Overnight visitor per capita spending in the first half of 2016 was 6,492 HK dollars (about 837 U.S. dollars), down 14.6 percent from last year. Per capita spending of Mainland visitors was 7,105 HK dollars, down 15.8 percent.