Hong Kong is positioning itself as a premier global destination for tourism, sports, and culture under the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address, announced by Chief Executive John Lee on September 16. The strategies focus on enriching high-quality tourism products, bolstering infrastructure, and deepening engagement with markets in the Chinese Mainland and worldwide, with the goal of developing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.
Central to this vision is the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism. Chief Executive Lee emphasized Hong Kong's unique cultural blend: "Hong Kong is blessed with a unique cultural vision, shaped by both Chinese and foreign influences. 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." The plan includes hosting international cultural and arts exhibitions and performances to attract visitors, and establishing a Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions to provide one-stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews, thereby promoting "Film + Tourism" and attracting more quality productions to showcase Hong Kong.
The Kai Tak Sports Park has already demonstrated Hong Kong's capacity for mega events, hosting over 170 sessions of international and local sports and cultural entertainment events that drew more than 2.6 million spectators. To build on this, the government will explore redeveloping Victoria Park Centre Court and other ancillary facilities into an iconic all-weather, multi-purpose venue for larger-scale and higher-level 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," she said. The government will capitalize on Central Government measures to facilitate foreign visits to the Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces, and explore additional immigration facilitation. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will promote multi-destination itineraries, partner with airlines, and intensify overseas publicity. It will also advance "+ Tourism" joint initiatives, integrating events with tourism to extend visitor stays and generate value.
On the yacht economy, Chief Executive Lee announced new berth projects, including the Aberdeen composite development tender scheduled for the first half of 2027 and the SKYTOPIA yacht bay project. Starting in May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts may navigate in nine Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities under temporary ship nationality registration, with the first northbound travel in June. The Marine Department will soon sign a memorandum with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for southbound travel, boosting cross-boundary leisure consumption.
To enhance Muslim-friendly tourism, the HKTB will extend the Hong Kong Restaurants Halal Certification Funding Scheme to the end of 2027, encouraging more halal food options. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.
