Hong Kong has announced a comprehensive strategy to enhance its appeal as a tourism destination and add value to the industry, as part 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. Chief Executive John Lee revealed the measures last week, focusing on the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism to establish Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.
The plan includes enriching high-quality tourism products, bolstering infrastructure, and deepening engagement with markets in the Chinese Mainland and globally. “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.” To support the film industry and promote “Film + Tourism,” a Support Unit for Non‑local Film Productions will be set up to provide one‑stop services for film crews, attracting more productions to showcase Hong Kong.
The Kai Tak Sports Park has already expanded Hong Kong’s capacity for mega events, hosting over 170 international and local sports and cultural entertainment sessions, attracting more than 2.6 million spectators. The government will explore redeveloping Victoria Park Centre Court into an iconic all‑weather, multi‑purpose venue for larger-scale sports and performance activities. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, noted the growing trend of multi-destination tourism, with Hong Kong welcoming around 36.67 million visitor arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, an 11% year-on-year increase. “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.
To capitalize on this, the government will leverage Central Government measures to facilitate foreign visits to the Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces, and explore additional immigration facilitation. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will promote multi-destination itineraries, partner with airlines, and intensify overseas publicity. It will also advance “+ Tourism” initiatives, integrating events with tourism to extend visitor stays and generate value. For more information on Hong Kong’s initiatives, visit Brand Hong Kong.
On the yacht economy, Lee announced new berth projects, including a tender for the Aberdeen composite development in the first half of 2027 and the Airport City “SKYTOPIA” yacht bay. Starting from May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts can navigate in nine Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities with guarantee exemptions. The Marine Department will sign a memorandum with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for southbound travel, boosting cross-boundary leisure consumption. Additionally, to enhance Muslim-friendly tourism, the HKTB will extend the Hong Kong Restaurants Halal Certification Funding Scheme to the end of 2027, encouraging more halal food options. These measures are expected to significantly boost Hong Kong’s tourism sector and overall economic vitality.
