Hong Kong has set out a comprehensive strategy to enhance its appeal as a tourism destination and a host 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 underscores the importance of integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism to solidify Hong Kong's role as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.
The measures include enriching the supply of high-quality tourism products, bolstering infrastructure and ancillary facilities, and deepening engagement with markets in the Chinese Mainland and around the world. "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 government will establish a Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions to provide one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews, attracting more quality films to showcase Hong Kong. This initiative is expected to stimulate the local economy and create jobs.
The Kai Tak Sports Park has already 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, attracting more than 2.6 million spectators. The government will also explore redeveloping Victoria Park Centre Court into an iconic all-weather, multi-purpose venue for larger-scale events, further boosting Hong Kong's event tourism.
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, 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," Ms Law said. The government will capitalize on Central Government measures to facilitate visits by foreign travellers to the Mainland and deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board will promote multi-destination travel itineraries, partner with airlines, and intensify overseas publicity. It will also take forward "+ Tourism" joint initiatives, integrating tourism with mega events, ecology, heritage, finance, and industrial brands to extend visitor stays and generate value-adding momentum.
On developing the yacht economy, Mr Lee noted that new yacht berth projects are moving ahead, including the Aberdeen composite development and the SKYTOPIA yacht bay project. Starting from May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts may navigate in nine Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities under simplified requirements. The Marine Department will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for southbound travel, adding impetus to cross-boundary leisure consumption.
To enhance Hong Kong'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 more Muslim-friendly food options. These strategies are set to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a premier tourism hub and drive economic growth through diversified offerings and improved infrastructure.
