The government will allocate HK$1.235 billion to the Hong Kong Tourism Board in the coming fiscal year to revitalize the city’s tourism industry and drive economic growth, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said.
This funding will support the implementation of the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, which aims to promote the concept of “tourism is everywhere” and enhance the city’s global appeal.
Chan announced that the Tourism Board has signed a three-year global strategic partnership with Art Basel, featuring immersive Hong Kong cultural experience zones at all four annual Art Basel shows worldwide.
The HKTB will also continue to support the hosting of more meetings, incentive travels, conventions, and exhibitions in Hong Kong, which are expected to bring an additional 183,000 visitors and generate HK$1.4 billion in spending.
“We will step up efforts to promote a series of distinctive tourism products such as eco-tourism, panda tourism, and horse-racing tourism to enrich travel experiences in Hong Kong,” Chan said.
Also, resources will be allocated to bolster the cruise industry, encouraging cruise lines to increase ship calls to Hong Kong, make overnight stops, and use the city as a homeport.
Concessions will be offered to attract cruise ships to berth at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal during the low season, further enhancing Hong Kong’s position as a regional cruise hub.
The government will also continue to promote Hong Kong as a global capital for mega-events.
Chan revealed that discussions are ongoing with LIV Golf, which has been held in Hong Kong for two consecutive years, to explore a long-term partnership.
Chan expressed gratitude to the central government for resuming the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen residents last December, noting that over 700,000 visitors have traveled to Hong Kong under this scheme, boosting retail, catering, and other sectors during the recent holiday season.
In collaboration with the HKTB, the government will focus on developing tourism markets in the Middle East and ASEAN regions to attract high-end visitors.
Efforts will include enhancing tourism-support facilities, such as providing worship facilities in hotels and training staff to better understand visitors’ cultural backgrounds.
The HKTB will also upgrade its one-stop travel information platform, Discover Hong Kong, to include a “Live Travel Map” and a “Smart Itinerary Planner,” offering visitors more comprehensive and personalized itinerary suggestions, travel information, and special offers.
(Ayra Wang)
