Government announces calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (second half of 2024)

Exciting lineup: hong kong's mega events calendar for the second half of 2024

The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, together with the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Mr Dane Cheng, announced the calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (second half of 2024) today (May 21).

Mr Wong said, “At least 210 mega events will be held throughout 2024, with over 100 events both in the first and second halves of the year. Similar to the first six months, different types of mega events in the second half of the year cover various areas including cultural, arts and creative events; sports; conventions and exhibitions; finance, economy, innovation and technology related events; as well as festivals, celebrations, galas and carnivals. There will be more than 15 new events, and return of popular events. The distribution of types of mega events in the first and second halves are generally similar, which reflects Hong Kong’s year-round offering of diverse events for all to choose from and participate in.”

Mr Wong said that mega events would bring substantial economic benefits. It is estimated that approximately 1.7million tourists would participate in the mega events in 2024. Their spending is estimated to be about HK$7.2billion, bringing value-added of about HK$4.3 billion to the Hong Kong economy.”

Mr Yeung said, “To fully exploit the stimulating effect of tourism on various industries, we will strengthen our liaison with industries related to mega events, so that these events may attract more tourists and generate more business opportunities and boost the economic gains of tourism, hotel, catering, retail and other sectors. We believe that the industries can make reference to the upcoming events, and plan, design, and launch cross-sector promotion and tourism products that connect different sectors and events. This will create comprehensive and immersive travel experiences for tourists, making them the best ambassadors to tell good stories of Hong Kong.”

Mr Yeung said the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) will continue to fully explore and utilise Hong Kong’s rich tourism resources through thematic tours. At the same time, the CSTB will continue to extend warm hospitality, with a view to reinforcing and strengthening Hong Kong’s position as “the best tourism destination”.

The HKTB has established the “Mega Events Development and Advancement Division” (MEDA), which has started operating as the first point of contact for mega events. Over the past two months, MEDA has proactively reached out to different event organisers and has received a number of inquiries. Currently, they are handling a total of over 40 projects. Based on the current assessment, five projects have been preliminarily confirmed, with the majority of them planned to take place within this year. The events cover a wide range of fields including ball games, sports tournaments, entertainment performances, and art and cultural activities.

The Government has compiled a calendar of mega events in Hong Kong to keep the public and the relevant industries apprised of the mega events held in Hong Kong. The Government will continuously update the calendar of mega events to inform members of the public and visitors of the mega events to be held in Hong Kong in advance. With a view to promoting Hong Kong’s status as an Events Capital of Asia, the Government also hopes to foster cross-sector collaboration among different industries and mega events, and encourages the tourism, hotel, catering, retail and other sectors to make plans on promotion and design tourism products beforehand.

The calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (second half of 2024) is in the Annex. The public can also browse it through the website for Brand Hong Kong (www.brandhk.gov.hk).

Government announces calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (second half of 2024) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (second half of 2024) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs today (August 1) seized four live turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $20,000, at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

A 43-year-old local woman was intercepted for customs clearance at the departure hall of the Control Point. Customs officers found four live turtles on her body. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of turtles were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.

The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases