(Budget 2024-25) HK$100m earmarked to boost mega-event promotions

Hong Kong’s finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po announced in his budget on Wednesday that the government has earmarked HK$100 million to boost mega-event promotions over the next three years.

Chan said more than 80 mega-events in a variety of themes and genres will be staged in Hong Kong in the first half of this year.

For "Art March" alone, a series of arts and cultural events will be presented, such as Art Basel, Art@Harbour and the Asian debut of the international pop-culture festival ComplexCon, said Chan.

For sports events, LIV Golf, an international golf tournament also featuring musical entertainment and other activities, will be staged for the first time in Hong Kong.

He also said Hong Kong, Guangdong Province and Macao will co-host the 15th National Games in 2025, adding that members of the public can cheer the athletes on home ground or visit nearby GBA cities to watch the games.

Chan said the government’s Mega Events Coordination Group will reach out proactively for more mega events to be staged in Hong Kong, while strengthening inter-departmental collaboration for such events to be successfully held. 

“Mega-events create opportunities for attracting tourists, while bringing wider entertainment and leisure choices for the people of Hong Kong.  We will stage more mega-events, boost their promotion and co-ordination and maximize their economic and publicity benefits to enhance our international image,” said Chan.