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Hong Kong tourism
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Hong Kong’s high-value tourism pivot makes sense for the city

If Hong Kong is to strengthen its credentials as an international city, it must appeal to visitors from different countries and cultures

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The Hong Kong skyline, as viewed from Tsim Sha Tsui on March 23. Under its new strategy, Hong Kong will allocate more of its budget to attracting foreign visitors. Photo: Eugene Lee
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
One of Hong Kong’s prime objectives when emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic was to attract visitors back to the city to boost the economy and its international image. Tourists have returned, with almost 50 million arriving last year, a 12 per cent increase on 2024. The figure is expected to rise to 53.8 million this year. Such progress is encouraging.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of visitors last year came from mainland China. There were 38 million tourists from across the border. They remain the core component and their growing presence is both welcome and important, but many mainland visitors are low-spending day-trippers. Hong Kong needs greater diversity; it should draw more tourists from overseas, especially high-spenders who will stay overnight.

This is why the Hong Kong Tourism Board is shifting strategy this year, allocating 75 per cent of its budget to attracting foreign visitors. Targets will include well-established markets but also those closer to home, such as Vietnam and Cambodia. The Middle East and European countries such as Italy and Spain are also highlighted. A new global campaign promoting Hong Kong as a unique world city is to be launched in April.

The change of direction makes sense. If Hong Kong is to strengthen its credentials as an international city, it must appeal to visitors from different countries and cultures, ensuring a cosmopolitan environment.

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