Hong Kong’s tourism sector is poised for continued growth as the government prepares its first five-year development blueprint aimed at aligning the industry more closely with national priorities. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui expressed optimism about the city’s post-pandemic recovery and its potential to expand tourism’s contribution to the local economy.
According to Law, the city has experienced a robust rebound in visitor arrivals, which is critical to reaching the government’s goal of raising tourism’s share of Hong Kong’s gross domestic product (GDP) to approximately 5 percent by 2029. She highlighted strong international interest in major events such as the Rugby Sevens, Art Basel, and the Wine and Dine Festival as indicators that Hong Kong is regaining its status as a major global destination.
Official figures show arrivals increased from 34 million in 2023 to nearly 50 million in 2025. For 2026, the government projects an 8 percent increase, bringing visitor numbers to around 53.8 million. In the first five months of this year alone, the city welcomed 23 million tourists, marking a 14 percent rise compared with the same period last year.
Tourism-related spending is also expected to grow significantly. Estimates suggest expenditure from inbound travelers will increase by 9.7 percent, from HK$217 billion in 2025 to HK$238 billion this year. The overall economic value generated by the tourism industry is projected to grow from HK$86.2 billion in 2024 to HK$120 billion by 2029, representing an increase of nearly 39 percent.
Despite these encouraging trends, current tourism performance remains below the pre-pandemic level. The sector’s contribution to GDP stood at 2.6 percent in 2023 and 2.8 percent in 2024, whereas it reached 4.5 percent in 2018 before the onset of COVID-19 disruptions.
In response, the government released the “Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0” in late 2024, outlining strategies to both strengthen existing competitive advantages and pursue new opportunities. The blueprint aligns with China’s 15th five-year national development plan, which identifies Hong Kong as a cultural and tourism hub that bridges Eastern and Western influences.
Looking ahead, officials acknowledge that the city must actively innovate and make bold decisions to capture its full potential in a rapidly evolving global tourism environment. Law emphasized that while Hong Kong benefits from its unique cultural heritage, diverse attractions, and natural beauty, it must continuously adapt to maintain and expand its appeal.
As competition intensifies globally, Hong Kong’s ability to offer an enhanced visitor experience and broaden its tourism offerings will be key to growing a “bigger and better” industry that significantly contributes to the city’s economic future.