Hong Kong  - Police in Hong Kong appealed for help Thursday in the search for a Canadian tourist who has not been seen since the day after she arrived in the city in November.

Ani Ashekian, 30, from Toronto, arrived in Hong Kong on November 9 and stayed in the city's Tsim Sha Tsui district, withdrawing money and sending her sister in Canada a text message the following day.

She planned to travel to India before returning to Toronto on December 15 but has not been heard from since November 10 and has not left Hong Kong, according to immigration records.

Police Thursday issued an appeal for anyone who has seen Ashekian, described as 163 centimetres tall, 55 kilogrammes and of south Asian appearance, to contact them.

A message from Ashekian's family posted on the social networking website Facebook describes her as a "bright, adventurous and vibrant young woman who has a passion for travel."

Appealing for help in tracing her, the message says: "Initially, Ani had kept in regular contact with her family and friends during the trip.

"However, November 10th was the last that anyone has heard from Ani. When the calls and emails abruptly stopped people began to worry."

Ashekian arrived in Hong Kong after flying to Beijing in October with two work colleagues from the legal firm where she worked but left them behind in the Chinese capital. (dpa)