Hong Kong has seen high-profile protests that saw tourist arrivals from mainland China plummet over an eight-month period. The viral epidemic put additional pressure on the travel sector to withstand a prolonged period of downturn.[171] A drop in arrivals from third countries more resilient during the previous months has also been cited as a concern.[136] The city is already in recession[171] and Moody has lowered the city's credit rating.[172][173]