Hong Kong has announced a comprehensive strategy to enhance its appeal as a tourism destination and a hub for major sports and cultural events, as part of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address delivered by Chief Executive John Lee on September 16. The plan underscores the government's commitment to integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism, with the goal of establishing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.
The measures include enriching high-quality tourism products, bolstering infrastructure and ancillary facilities, 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."
A key initiative is the establishment of a Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions to provide one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews, promoting "Film + Tourism" and attracting more quality productions to showcase Hong Kong. The Kai Tak Sports Park has already expanded the city's capacity to host international mega events, with over 170 sessions held and more than 2.6 million spectators attracted. The government will also 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, noting that 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 government will capitalize on Central Government measures to facilitate foreign travellers' 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 travel itineraries, partner with airlines, and intensify overseas publicity. It will also take forward "+ Tourism" joint initiatives, integrating tourism with mega events, ecology, heritage, finance, and industrial brands to extend visitor stays and generate value-adding momentum.
On the yacht economy, Lee announced new berth projects, including the Aberdeen composite development and the SKYTOPIA yacht bay. Starting from May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts may navigate in nine Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities with guarantee exemption and temporary ship nationality registration. The first northbound yacht travel 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 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 boost Hong Kong's economy by attracting more visitors, extending their stays, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.
