Hong Kong Emerges As The Ultimate Destination For Mainland Chinese Tourists With Unbeatable Sports Packages And Exclusive Access To National Games Events

Published on November 8, 2025

Hong Kong is set to experience a significant tourism boost as the National Games draw thousands of mainland Chinese visitors to the city. This marks the first time Hong Kong is hosting the Games alongside Guangdong and Macau, making it a prime opportunity for local travel agencies to capitalize on the influx of visitors. With events like rugby, golf, and cycling attracting sports enthusiasts, the city’s tourism sector is poised to benefit from high-spending tourists eager to enjoy world-class sporting events, luxury accommodations, and exclusive travel packages.

Hong Kong’s travel agencies are seizing the opportunity to attract mainland Chinese visitors by offering specialized tours centered around the upcoming National Games, set to take place in the city this month. The events, which include a wide array of sports such as rugby, golf, fencing, and triathlon, are being used as a magnet to draw tourists from mainland China to Hong Kong. The most sought-after activities for these visitors include golf and rugby, given the popularity of these sports in China, alongside the prestige of Hong Kong’s venues.

The 2025 National Games are particularly significant, as it marks the first time Hong Kong will host the event alongside Guangdong and Macau. The competition is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors to the city, giving the local tourism industry a boost. With sports like track cycling, beach volleyball, men’s handball, and the under-22 men’s basketball tournament, the event promises to offer a variety of attractions for sports enthusiasts.

Travel agencies have begun organizing tailored package tours, which aim to offer mainland visitors an exclusive opportunity to watch the sporting events while exploring Hong Kong’s cultural and leisure offerings. These packages generally cater to a more mature, higher-spending demographic, as explained by a spokesperson from the Hong Kong Tourism Association. The tours are typically on a smaller scale, designed for those who value luxury and comfort, including stays at four- to five-star hotels and chartered transport, with costs averaging around HK$2,000 (US$257) per person per day.

A significant draw for many visitors is Hong Kong’s world-class golf courses. With golf being a popular sport in mainland China, visitors are eager to experience the city’s top-tier courses while enjoying the other attractions Hong Kong has to offer. According to industry insiders, while organized tour groups are being marketed, most visitors are expected to travel independently. This trend is partly due to the registration system for tickets, which requires spectators to buy tickets individually, making it harder for travel agencies to organize group bookings.

One key figure in Hong Kong’s tourism sector noted that while there would be some private group tours, these would be fewer in number. Although the city’s travel agencies are not anticipating a major influx of large-scale group bookings, many are still assisting individual visitors with transport and accommodation arrangements. Despite the reduced number of organized tours, the general sentiment is that the National Games will still have a positive economic impact on Hong Kong. Business in sectors like hospitality, food, and beverage industries is expected to benefit from the increased number of visitors.

However, some experts suggest that the economic benefits of hosting the National Games might be more limited than anticipated. An economist pointed out that while the tripartite hosting arrangement between Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macau is an effective strategy for cost-sharing and dividing responsibilities, it also means that a significant portion of the visitors may not stay overnight in Hong Kong. Due to the high costs of accommodation, many mainland visitors may opt for day trips, rather than booking extended stays. This could mitigate the overall economic impact that the Games might bring to the city.

To further enhance the city’s tourism sector, some believe Hong Kong should expand its efforts beyond events like the National Games. By focusing on attracting international sporting events such as major football matches or global sports championships, Hong Kong could continue to build its reputation as a top-tier destination for sports tourism, which would attract a broader international audience and sustain long-term growth in the sector. As a growing tourism hub, the city’s ability to host large-scale international events is critical to remaining competitive on the global stage.

While Hong Kong is making strategic moves to capitalize on the National Games by attracting mainland Chinese visitors with specialized tours, the true economic impact of the event remains uncertain. Despite the challenges posed by high accommodation costs and the limited scope of organized tours, the city’s tourism sector remains optimistic. With careful planning and the pursuit of additional international sporting events, Hong Kong can continue to bolster its tourism industry and solidify its place as a premier destination for both regional and international travelers.