Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to strengthen its appeal as a destination for tourism and major sports and cultural events, with the sector identified as a key focus of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address announced by Chief Executive John Lee on September 16.
The government plans
to support the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism as part of
efforts to position Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International
Cultural Exchange.
Measures include
expanding high-quality tourism products, strengthening infrastructure and
ancillary facilities, and deepening engagement with markets in the Chinese
Mainland and overseas.
"Hong Kong is
blessed with a unique cultural vision, shaped by both Chinese and foreign
influences," Lee said. "We will continue to engage and collaborate
with Mainland and overseas culture, arts and creative sectors to consolidate
Hong Kong's role as a hub for the exchange, collaboration and promotion of
culture, arts and creativity. We will also host international cultural and arts
exhibitions and performances to attract visitors to Hong Kong."
The government will
also establish a Support Unit for Non local Film Productions to provide
one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews filming in Hong Kong.
The initiative is
intended to attract more quality film productions and support the development
of "Film + Tourism".
Sports infrastructure
will also play a central role.
Lee said Kai Tak
Sports Park has significantly increased the city's capacity to host
international mega events, with more than 170 international and local sports
and cultural entertainment events held there so far, attracting over 2.6
million spectators.
The government will
also explore redeveloping Victoria Park Centre Court and related facilities
into an iconic all-weather, multi-purpose venue capable of hosting larger-scale
sports events and performances.
Secretary for Culture,
Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law highlighted the growing importance of
multi-destination travel.
Hong Kong welcomed
around 36.67 million visitor arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, an
increase of about 11 per cent year on year.
"The proportion
of overseas visitors travelling onwards to the Chinese Mainland via Hong Kong
has continued to rise, exceeding 20% in the first half of 2026," Law said.
The Hong Kong Tourism
Board will promote multi-destination itineraries, work with airlines on tourism
products and promotional offers, and increase overseas publicity.
The government will
also expand "+ Tourism" initiatives linking tourism with mega events,
ecology, heritage, finance and industrial brands to encourage longer stays and
increase visitor spending.
Hong Kong is also
developing its yacht economy, with new berth projects progressing in Aberdeen
and the Airport City "SKYTOPIA".
"In addition,
starting from May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts may navigate in nine
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities, with the requirement for
guarantee exempted and under temporary ship nationality registration," Lee
said. "The first northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong set sail in
June. The Marine Department will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with
the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for the implementation of
southbound travel for yachts from Guangdong, adding impetus to cross boundary
leisure consumption."
To further strengthen Hong Kong's appeal as a Muslim-friendly destination, the HKTB will extend its Hong Kong Restaurants Halal Certification Funding Scheme to the end of 2027, encouraging more restaurants to offer Muslim-friendly food options. -TradeArabia News Service