As the 15th National Games unfolds with exciting competitions, the co-host region Hong Kong has seen a boom in event-driven business and cultural tourism, with visitors flocking to the Special Administrative Region to experience the sports enthusiasm.
The 15th edition of the National Games, China's premier multi-sport event, has broken new ground by being co-hosted across three engines of the Greater Bay Area city cluster in south China --Guangdong Province and the neighboring Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. The games feature 34 sports with 419 events in the competitive program and 23 sports with 166 events in the mass participation program.
The Games is expected to attract over 100,000 tourist visits, driving a surge in spending across catering, retail and tourism, according to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.
So far in November, which is not traditionally a peak season for tourism, Hong Kong's tourism sector has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity thanks to the National Games.
At a hotel in Kowloon, Hong Kong, occupancy rates have been rising steadily since early October.
"During the National Games, we've seen hotel demand reach a remarkably high level, and witnessed very positive performance in the tourism industry. This sends a strong signal for Hong Kong's economic recovery and growth, injecting sustained confidence and momentum into the region's future economic development," said Chang Chiteng, general manager of Metropark Hotel.
"The Games has brought tremendous benefits to Hong Kong's overall tourism sector. It has boosted the entire tourism industry and will further promote future development of the Greater Bay Area," said Yang Shih-hsin, general manager of the culture, sports and tourism integration innovation center of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd.
The tourism heat stems not just from the spectacular sports competitions, but equally from the excellent hospitality and memorable experiences that Hong Kong extends to its guests.
A tourist from the mainland said, "With the National Games happening, the region is filled with sportsmanship, and the whole of Hong Kong is radiating vitality."
"The volunteers are very willing to help and full of passion. The spirit of sports is being conveyed very effectively," said another tourist.
15th National Games fuels cultural tourism boom in Hong Kong
