Hong Kong is set to enhance its appeal as a global tourism destination and a hub for major sports and cultural events under 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 measures aim to develop Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, with a focus on enriching high-quality tourism products, bolstering infrastructure, and deepening 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," 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," a Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions will be established to provide one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews, attracting more quality films that showcase Hong Kong. Additionally, the Kai Tak Sports Park has already hosted over 170 sessions of international and local sports and cultural entertainment mega events, drawing more than 2.6 million spectators.
The government will also 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, 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.
The HKSAR Government will capitalize on Central Government measures to facilitate foreign visits to the Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces, and explore additional immigration facilitation arrangements. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will promote multi-destination itineraries, partner with airlines, and intensify overseas publicity. It will also take forward "+ Tourism" joint initiatives, integrating events with tourism to extend visitor stays and generate value-adding momentum across mega events, ecology, heritage, finance, and industrial brands.
On the yacht economy, Lee noted that new yacht berth projects are progressing, including the tender for the Aberdeen composite development project scheduled for the first half of 2027 and the Airport City "SKYTOPIA" yacht bay project. Starting from May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts may navigate in nine Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities with guarantee exempted and under temporary ship nationality registration. The first northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong set sail in June, and the Marine Department will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for southbound travel, boosting cross-boundary leisure consumption.
To further 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 initiatives are expected to significantly impact the tourism industry by attracting more visitors, extending their stays, and increasing spending. They also position Hong Kong as a premier destination for international events and cultural exchange, reinforcing its status as a global city. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.
