China's 15th National Games is fueling tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), as visitors are there not only for the sports but are also exploring the cities.
For some competing teams, their event tickets also grant them access to the parks, harbors and iconic landmarks in Shenzhen, Guangdong, where competition days become a several-day tour.
"We're here to watch the National Games in Shenzhen, where we'll visit Lotus Mountain Park, Happy Harbor, and the Eye of the Greater Bay Area. As Guangdong is one of the host cities of the Games, we're very proud and welcome everyone to join us in the Greater Bay Area for the events," said Lai Xiaoheng, a tourist from Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong.
For the first time, Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong and the Macao special administrative regions have teamed up to host the National Games, and the excitement is palpable as tickets for many popular events sold out within seconds.
"Driven by sports-themed tour groups, the number of travel packages in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is expected to increase by about 30 percent in November 2025 compared to the previous year,"said Guan Jian, director of Communications, GZL International Travel Service.
From scenic spots to local hotels and restaurants, the Games are driving a surge in dining and spending.
"During the National Games, our restaurant has seen a 30 percent increase in customer flow. The event has attracted many new visitors from across the country and beyond to Happy Harbor, and we are thrilled to be one of the main businesses benefiting from this surge," said Xu Hailun, founder of the Lounge Bridge.
"The National Games are providing a major boost to our region's tourism and hospitality industry. For our hotel, this has translated into an 18 percent year-on-year occupancy increase during the event period, with our most popular rooms often selling out on key weekends," said Ye Changlin, president of Skytel Shenzhen Shekou.
The National Games is China's largest multi-sport event. Running from Nov 9 to 21, The 15th National Games have attracted over 14,000 elite athletes from across the nation.
Shenzhen will host the closing ceremony of the Games.
15th National Games fuels tourism in Greater Bay Area
15th National Games fuels tourism in Greater Bay Area
Voting for the election of the eighth-term Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) concluded on Sunday night.
Voting for the election began at 07:30 a.m. local time on Sunday. More than 600 polling stations were opened across Hong Kong, serving approximately 4.13 million registered voters.
Long queues had already formed outside multiple polling stations across Hong Kong before the polls opened. At polling station entrances, staff and volunteers attentively assisted voters with the procedures. Some voters posed for a photo holding a thank-you card given by staff after casting their ballot.
"As a Hong Kong citizen, I think it's my responsibility to vote, and I don't want to give up my rights. That's why I come here to support," a voter said.
"We actually flew in from Thailand. Learning today is a special day to vote, we actually canceled all our appointments and canceled everything, and we flew in with the whole family just to be part of Hong Kong and to vote, and to cast our vote and be part of the community," said another voter.
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee cast his ballot at around 08:30 a.m. at Raimondi College on Robinson Road. He said that the LegCo election is of great importance to Hong Kong's overall development and future reforms, and it also represents the expectations of Hong Kong society.
A number of voters said they look forward to the new term of the Legislative Council taking greater responsibility in advancing Hong Kong's economy, society, and public welfare.
"I think an area of focus I'd like to see is, one is the economy, and secondly is youth mobility and youth policies. I think youth are the future, and it's very important to get unity within the youth and also give us hope, right? The youth in general -- what can we do to, for us as youth, to partake in civil society and to show our responsibility, but also from the government, like, what kind of policy that can help us do that as well," said a young voter.
"I hope that there will be more fair education in the sense that even people from the poor family, they can actually receive good education in good schools," another voter said.
The new term of LegCo will be composed of 90 members, including 40 elected by the Election Committee, 30 elected by functional constituencies, and 20 elected by geographical constituencies through direct elections.
The eighth-term LegCo of the HKSAR will commence its four-year term on Jan 1, 2026.
Voting for 8th-term HKSAR LegCo election concludes
