Hong Kong’s tourism reboot is entering a new phase. Speaking to The Straits Times, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law confirmed that the Tourism Board will deploy HK$1.66 billion (US$212 million) in the 2026 financial year—35 per cent more than in 2025—to sharpen the city’s appeal to “high-value” visitors, in particular long-haul holiday-makers and corporate delegates attending meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE). Three-quarters of the enlarged budget will underwrite aggressive marketing in South-east Asia, India, the Middle East and selected European Union markets, as well as expanded air-ticket giveaways and trade-fair subsidies designed to rebuild Hong Kong’s pre-pandemic position as Asia’s premier events hub. Officials aim to lift total arrivals to 53.8 million this year, up from 50 million in 2025, and to raise foreign (non-mainland) visitors’ share of spending, which already outstrips that of mainland tourists by 20 per cent per capita. The shift comes amid the rise of “zero-dollar” trips promoted on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, where budget travellers share tips for seeing Hong Kong almost for free. While their numbers bolster headcounts, the government worries about the knock-on effect on retail and hospitality yields.
![Hong Kong stakes HK$1.66 billion on luring high-value visitors and MICE travellers]()
Before those high-value visitors—or the corporate teams heading to MICE events—can start spending, they’ll need the right paperwork. VisaHQ streamlines Hong Kong visa and entry permit applications for individuals, families and large delegations alike, offering real-time tracking and bulk processing options that save travel managers precious hours. Explore the service at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/ and let specialists handle the formalities while you focus on building itineraries and budgets.
High-value visitors—defined as those who stay at least one night and take part in premium experiences—spend up to four times more on hotels, dining and entertainment, according to Tourism Board data. For corporates, Hong Kong is doubling support for large-scale conferences, subsidising venue rental at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo and expanding fast-track immigration lanes for pre-registered delegates. The city hosted more than 50 large MICE events in 2025 and wants to grow that tally by at least 10 per cent in 2026. Organisers of technology, sustainability and finance events are being courted with “white-glove” concierge services that bundle venue booking, hotel blocks and after-hours cultural itineraries. Travel managers should expect fiercer competition for hotel rooms around flagship events such as the UBS Global Investment Summit and Art Basel, but also deeper group-booking discounts and more flexible cancellation terms written into Tourism Board partnership agreements. Companies sending staff to Hong Kong can leverage the revived "Hello Hong Kong" air-ticket sponsorships—50,000 seats are earmarked for corporate incentive groups this year—to shave travel budgets while securing premium cabins.
Before those high-value visitors—or the corporate teams heading to MICE events—can start spending, they’ll need the right paperwork. VisaHQ streamlines Hong Kong visa and entry permit applications for individuals, families and large delegations alike, offering real-time tracking and bulk processing options that save travel managers precious hours. Explore the service at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/ and let specialists handle the formalities while you focus on building itineraries and budgets.
High-value visitors—defined as those who stay at least one night and take part in premium experiences—spend up to four times more on hotels, dining and entertainment, according to Tourism Board data. For corporates, Hong Kong is doubling support for large-scale conferences, subsidising venue rental at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo and expanding fast-track immigration lanes for pre-registered delegates. The city hosted more than 50 large MICE events in 2025 and wants to grow that tally by at least 10 per cent in 2026. Organisers of technology, sustainability and finance events are being courted with “white-glove” concierge services that bundle venue booking, hotel blocks and after-hours cultural itineraries. Travel managers should expect fiercer competition for hotel rooms around flagship events such as the UBS Global Investment Summit and Art Basel, but also deeper group-booking discounts and more flexible cancellation terms written into Tourism Board partnership agreements. Companies sending staff to Hong Kong can leverage the revived "Hello Hong Kong" air-ticket sponsorships—50,000 seats are earmarked for corporate incentive groups this year—to shave travel budgets while securing premium cabins.
