Tourism Chief hails collective effort as Hong Kong welcomes nearly 50m visitors in 2025

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, said on Thursday that the increase in Hong Kong's visitor numbers in 2025 was a "collective effort between the government and the industry." 

Speaking at the opening of the Hong Kong Holiday & Travel Expo 2026, Law highlighted the strong recovery of the tourism sector. 

She noted that Hong Kong International Airport’s flight volume recovered to 81 percent of pre-pandemic levels last year with the full operation of the three-runway system and is expected to reach 86 percent this year.

Law emphasized that tourists are increasingly seeking in-depth and unique experiences, urging the industry to innovate itineraries and develop appealing products to meet evolving demands.

The four-day expo features over 40 travel agencies and cruise companies promoting more than 200 routes, showcasing a wide variety of destinations and travel packages.

A representative from WWPKG described business as ideal, with visitor foot traffic up 20 percent compared with last year. 

While a few inquiries remain for Chinese New Year tours, interest has shifted heavily toward cherry blossom trips in Japan, with far more visitors asking about Japan routes than in 2024. 

Mainland destinations also remain popular, particularly Xinjiang, which has seen a very high volume of inquiries.

The founder of DeWonder Travel, surnamed Chan, reported average foot traffic and business similar to last year but anticipates a busier weekend. 

The company specializes in adventure cruises to the North and South Poles, focusing on unique experiences such as Zodiac boat rides, polar plunging and snow camping. 

These 10- to 15-day itineraries are priced comparably to last year.

Many attendees visited the expo specifically to compare travel options and secure deals. Visitors praised the convenient venue for allowing on-site comparisons across agencies.

Beyond promotions and discounts, the event includes over 50 travel-related seminars and performances in collaboration with partners. 

A new interactive activity, the “King of Luggage Competition,” debuts this year.