Hong Kong Aims to Boost Tourism and Cultural Exchange
News related to:Hong Kong SAR · 2 min read
Hong Kong SAR is set to enhance its appeal as a global tourism and cultural hub, according to 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 aims to bolster Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, focusing on the integration of culture, sports, and tourism.
To achieve this, the HKSAR government will enrich the supply of high-quality tourism products and bolster infrastructure and ancillary facilities.
The government 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 established to provide one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews filming in Hong Kong. This initiative aims to attract the production of more quality films to promote Hong Kong.
The Kai Tak Sports Park has significantly expanded Hong Kong's capacity to host international mega events, with over 170 sessions of international and local sports and cultural entertainment events having been held there so far, attracting over 2.6 million spectators. The HKSAR Government will explore the redevelopment of Victoria Park Centre Court and other ancillary facilities into an iconic all-weather, multi-purpose venue for holding larger-scale and higher-level sports events and performance activities.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, highlighted the growing trend of multi-destination tourism. According to Law, Hong Kong welcomed around 36.67 million visitor arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of about 11 per cent.
The HKSAR Government will continue to capitalize on measures introduced by the Central Government to facilitate visits by foreign travellers to the Chinese Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces and municipalities, and explore with the country 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.
The government will also develop the yacht economy, with a variety of new yacht berth projects now moving ahead. The tender for the composite development project in Aberdeen, comprising a marina, recreational facilities, and residential development, is scheduled for the first half of 2027. The yacht bay project under the Airport City "SKYTOPIA" is also underway. 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. 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.