HK considers opening financial hubs to tourists as visitor numbers climb 12pc

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, has announced a significant upswing in Hong Kong's tourism sector, revealing that the city welcomed 33.2 million visitor arrivals in the first eight months of this year. This figure represents a robust 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The data indicates a broad-based recovery, with mainland Chinese travellers, who constituted nearly 80 percent of the total, rising by 11 percent. The growth was even more pronounced among non-mainland visitors, which saw a 16 percent jump.

Law highlighted that these numbers demonstrate the effectiveness of the government's tourism strategies.

She provided a specific example of the success in attracting high-spending tourists, noting a 40 percent surge in visitors from the Middle East, who numbered 54,000. These tourists recorded a per-capita spending of HK$14,000, nearly double the average for all visitors.

During a Legco meeting, financial sector lawmaker Robert Lee Wai-wang suggested the development of financial tourism, proposing the creation of a financial museum and citing the Wall Street Bull sculpture in New York as a successful model for attracting visitors.

In response, the tourism chief acknowledged the potential, saying that Hong Kong's own financial institutions, such as the International Finance Centre Two and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, are housed in iconic buildings with stunning views.

However, she said these locations currently have strict access controls.

She proposed considering arrangements for guided group tours to enter and exit together, or opening a quota for independent travellers to book visits in advance.

Separately, Law disclosed that the government is currently reviewing the "A Symphony of Lights" harbour light show. She suggested that, beyond just lighting effects, there are many other ways to present the spectacle, and that policies may need to be relaxed to facilitate changes.

She confirmed that preliminary ideas are already being considered but are not yet ready for public announcement.

Looking ahead, the city anticipates 188 cruise ship arrivals this year, a 20 percent year-on-year increase, said Law.

With the operating contract for the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal set to expire in 2028, the government will commence the tender process for a new operator by the end of this year, she added.

(Marco Lam)