Hong Kong is doubling down on efforts to enhance its appeal as a global tourism destination and a hub for major sports and cultural events, as outlined in 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 plan emphasizes integrated development of culture, sports and tourism to develop Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.
Mr Lee unveiled measures to enrich high-quality tourism products, bolster infrastructure and deepen engagement with markets in the Chinese Mainland and worldwide. "Hong Kong is blessed with a unique cultural vision, shaped by both Chinese and foreign influences," Mr 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."
To support the film industry and promote "Film + Tourism," the Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions will be set up to provide one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews filming in Hong Kong, attracting more quality productions to promote the city. Mr Lee noted that the Kai Tak Sports Park has substantially expanded Hong Kong's capacity to host international mega events, with over 170 sessions of international and local sports and cultural entertainment events held there so far, attracting more than 2.6 million spectators. The HKSAR Government will explore redeveloping Victoria Park Centre Court and other ancillary facilities into an iconic all-weather, multi-purpose venue for larger-scale and higher-level sports events and performances.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law highlighted the growing trend of multi-destination tourism. Hong Kong welcomed around 36.67 million visitor arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, a year-on-year increase of about 11 per cent. "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," Ms Law said. The Government will capitalize on Central Government measures to facilitate visits by foreign travellers to the Chinese Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces and municipalities, and explore additional immigration facilitation arrangements for international visitors.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will promote multi-destination travel itineraries to overseas visitors, partner with airlines to roll out relevant tourism products and promotional offers, and intensify publicity overseas. It will take forward "+ Tourism" joint initiatives, integrating various events with tourism to raise their appeal, aiming to extend visitor stays and generate value-adding momentum. Such initiatives would integrate tourism with mega events, ecology, heritage, finance and industrial brands.
On developing the yacht economy, Mr Lee said a variety of new yacht berth projects are moving ahead, including the tender for the composite development project in Aberdeen comprising a marina, recreational facilities and residential development scheduled for the first half of 2027, and the yacht bay project under the Airport City "SKYTOPIA." "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," Mr 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 enhance the city's appeal as a Muslim-friendly destination, the HKTB will extend the Hong Kong Restaurants Halal Certification Funding Scheme to the end of 2027, encouraging the industry to provide more Muslim-friendly food options. These initiatives collectively aim to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a premier tourism destination and drive economic growth through diversified visitor experiences. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.
