Hong Kong has potential to re-emerge as a leading destination for international travellers

Hong Kong SAR, China can re-establish itself as a go-to destination for international travellers by investing in key source markets, new World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) research reveals.

Current Landscape
- Visitor Mix (2025):
- Mainland China: 76%
- International arrivals: 24% (50.3M visitors, down 22.9% from 2018 peak).
- Business Travel Spend: Down 16.8% since 2018 due to civil unrest (2019) and COVID‑19 (2020).
- Economic Impact: Travel & Tourism contributes US$56.4B GDP and supports 587,000 jobs in 2025.
- Recovery Status: Sector at 98.5% of 2018 levels, driven by domestic demand (+15.5%).
- Gap: International spend still 15% below 2018, while peers like Singapore (+3.6%) and Macao (+2.4%) surpassed pre‑pandemic benchmarks.

WTTC Recommendations
1. Re‑energise Business Travel – Incentives for MICE organisers, streamlined entry processes.
2. Rebuild Long‑Haul Demand – Target US, UK, Europe via airline partnerships.
3. Rethink Tourism Offerings – Position Hong Kong as multi‑dimensional (dining, heritage, festivals), with retail as complement.
4. Enhance Visitor Value – Extend average stay (forecast 3.1 nights in 2025 vs 3.3 in 2019) through curated itineraries.
5. Strengthen Public‑Private Collaboration – Align government, HKTB, and private sector strategies.

Strategic Investments
- HK$1.6B tourism investment (2026–27): Scaling flagship events, expanding promotion into non‑Guangdong Mainland cities, ASEAN, Middle East.
- Cruise & MICE growth: More cruise calls, stronger positioning as a global business hub.
- Infrastructure milestones (2025):
- Hong Kong International Airport – fastest‑growing by seat capacity worldwide.
- Hong Kong–Taipei – busiest cross‑border airline route globally.

WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara
> “Hong Kong SAR, China remains a global powerhouse, defined by a world‑class infrastructure and a unique cultural DNA that bridges East and West… Through public‑private collaboration and a bold vision, Hong Kong SAR, China is reclaiming its rightful place as a premier global destination.”

This report positions Hong Kong at a critical inflection point: nearly back to pre‑2018 levels, but needing sharper focus on international diversification, business travel revival, and longer visitor stays to compete with regional peers.