Hong Kong has set out a comprehensive strategy to strengthen its tourism industry, integrating culture, sports, and tourism under the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address announced by Chief Executive John Lee on September 16. The plan positions tourism as a key economic driver, aiming to develop Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange and to attract high-value visitors.
Central to the strategy is enriching the supply of high-quality tourism products while bolstering infrastructure and deepening engagement with markets in the Chinese Mainland and worldwide. Lee emphasized Hong Kong's unique cultural vision, shaped by both Chinese and foreign influences, and pledged continued collaboration with Mainland and overseas culture, arts, and creative sectors. Hosting international cultural and arts exhibitions and performances will be a priority to draw visitors.
To support the film industry and promote "Film + Tourism," a Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions will be established, offering one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews. This initiative aims to attract more quality film productions to Hong Kong, leveraging the city's cinematic appeal to boost tourism. The Kai Tak Sports Park has already expanded Hong Kong's capacity for mega events, hosting over 170 sessions of international and local sports and cultural entertainment events, 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 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 traveling onwards to the Chinese Mainland via Hong Kong exceeded 20% in the first half of 2026. The government will capitalize on Central Government measures to facilitate visits by foreign travelers to the Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces, and explore additional immigration facilitation arrangements. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will promote multi-destination travel itineraries, partner with airlines on tourism products, and intensify overseas publicity.
The plan also includes "+ Tourism" joint initiatives, integrating tourism with mega events, ecology, heritage, finance, and industrial brands to extend visitor stays and generate value. On the yacht economy, Lee noted new berth projects, including the Aberdeen composite development tender 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 exemptions and temporary ship nationality registration. The first northbound yacht travel from Hong Kong set sail in June, and the Marine Department will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for southbound travel, boosting 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 measures collectively aim to diversify Hong Kong's tourism offerings, drive economic growth, and reinforce its status as a global events and cultural hub.
