Hong Kong Rolls Out Ambitious Plan to Attract Global Tourists

Published on December 31, 2024

Hong Kong has launched a highly anticipated tourism blueprint, emphasizing themes like pandas, horse racing, mega-events, and smart travel initiatives. The updated strategy aims to inject HK$120 billion (US$15.5 billion) into the economy and create 210,000 jobs within five years.

The blueprint, released on Monday, outlines four development strategies, 16 implementation directions, 59 action plans, and 133 measures. These efforts reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a hub for international and multi-destination tourism, highlighting its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

In his 2023 policy address, emphasized the need to update the 2017 tourism blueprint to align with the post-pandemic landscape. The roadmap introduces actionable plans for short, medium, and long-term growth, addressing major changes experienced during the past three years.

Beijing’s top representative for Hong Kong affairs, has repeatedly identified tourism as a cornerstone of the city’s economic revival. Innovation and technology play a central role in the updated plan, including smart check-in kiosks at the airport, e-channel services for immigration, electronic payment systems, and augmented reality experiences at attractions.

Two adult giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, gifted to Hong Kong by Beijing, arrived in September as part of Beijing’s key initiatives to support the city’s tourism industry. Other initiatives include expanding the individual traveler scheme for select mainland residents, introducing overnight sleeper trains, increasing duty-free allowances, and reviving multiple-entry visas for Shenzhen locals.

The government is also targeting new markets, particularly the Middle East and ASEAN nations. Efforts include expanding Arabic-language information at the airport, increasing halal-friendly hospitality and dining options, and encouraging taxi drivers to provide service information in Arabic.

Executive director of the Tourism Board, noted that while tourist arrivals for 2024 may slightly miss the forecast of 46 million due to challenges like a strong currency and limited flight capacity recovery, there has been significant progress.

In the first ten months of 2024, tourist arrivals rose 37% year-on-year to 36.7 million, including 28.4 million visitors from mainland China, a 33% increase. Non-mainland visitors grew by 54% to 8.3 million, accounting for 23% of total arrivals.

Popular attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, and Ngong Ping 360 cable car continue to captivate visitors.

Travel Industry Council chairman lauded the blueprint for setting a clear path for long-term growth, positioning Hong Kong as a dynamic and competitive global tourism destination.