Speaking on the sidelines of the LIV Golf Invitational at Fanling on 8 March, Financial Secretary Paul Chan revealed that the three-day tournament has attracted 57 star players and about 14,000 inbound spectators from 16 economies. The event carries the government’s coveted “M-Mark” – a designation that unlocks marketing funds and expedited visa support to help organisers woo overseas audiences.
Chan said the mega-event calendar is central to Hong Kong’s post-pandemic tourism reboot. More than 150 international conferences, concerts and sports fixtures are scheduled for 2026, including Art Basel, the Rugby Sevens and a new Formula-E night race. Collectively they are expected to inject HK$4 billion in visitor spending and support 25,000 temporary hospitality jobs.
For mobility managers the strategy means a busier peak-night pattern at hotels and tighter air-seat inventory. Companies planning relocations or large training programmes around late-March and early-April should note that Art Basel overlaps with Easter this year, historically sending hotel ADRs north of HK$2,500.
![LIV Golf week draws 14,000 overseas visitors as Hong Kong doubles down on ‘mega-events’ tourism strategy]()
If the scramble for travel documentation becomes a bottleneck, platforms such as VisaHQ can simplify the process. Their Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) consolidates the latest entry rules, offers digital applications for work permits and visas, and provides expert support for bulk submissions—helping firms and event organisers keep people moving even during peak seasons.
The Tourism Board is working with Immigration to streamline group visa letters for athletes, crews and support staff, using an online portal trialled during October’s Asia Financial Forum. If successful, the portal could be rolled out to corporate MICE groups later in the year, reducing lead times for work-related entry permits.
Chan reiterated that mega-events are only one pillar of Hong Kong’s inbound push, alongside new multi-entry Mainland visitor visas and the launch of a third runway at Chek Lap Kok next year.
Chan said the mega-event calendar is central to Hong Kong’s post-pandemic tourism reboot. More than 150 international conferences, concerts and sports fixtures are scheduled for 2026, including Art Basel, the Rugby Sevens and a new Formula-E night race. Collectively they are expected to inject HK$4 billion in visitor spending and support 25,000 temporary hospitality jobs.
For mobility managers the strategy means a busier peak-night pattern at hotels and tighter air-seat inventory. Companies planning relocations or large training programmes around late-March and early-April should note that Art Basel overlaps with Easter this year, historically sending hotel ADRs north of HK$2,500.
If the scramble for travel documentation becomes a bottleneck, platforms such as VisaHQ can simplify the process. Their Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) consolidates the latest entry rules, offers digital applications for work permits and visas, and provides expert support for bulk submissions—helping firms and event organisers keep people moving even during peak seasons.
The Tourism Board is working with Immigration to streamline group visa letters for athletes, crews and support staff, using an online portal trialled during October’s Asia Financial Forum. If successful, the portal could be rolled out to corporate MICE groups later in the year, reducing lead times for work-related entry permits.
Chan reiterated that mega-events are only one pillar of Hong Kong’s inbound push, alongside new multi-entry Mainland visitor visas and the launch of a third runway at Chek Lap Kok next year.
