SCST: Hong Kong Tourism Hits Stride with Record 49.9 Million Visitors in 2025, Setting Stage for a Strong 2026

Having welcomed 49.9 million visitors in 2025, a robust 12% increase over 2024, Hong Kong has achieved an impressive report card in Tourism. At the 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Overview held today (Mar 18th), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (SCST), Miss Rosanna Law, traced back on the exceptional performance of Hong Kong's tourism industry over the past year and expressed her high hopes for 2026.

The 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Overview, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (SCST), Miss Rosanna Law, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

She mentioned that, under the strong leadership of Dr. Peter Lam (HKTB Chairman), and the hard work of Anthony Lau (Executive Director of HKTB) and his team, Hong Kong welcomed 49.9 million visitors, a robust 12% increase over 2024. She raised an illustration that the 2025 episode of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival saw a 30% growth in terms of daily average attendance and a 40% growth in terms of daily token spending. Many guests even named it one of the best they have ever attended and already looked forward to returning this year. In her eyes, such a positive response showed the world a loud and clear message: Hong Kong is back, and back big time!

The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival in 2025, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

She said that stepping into 2026, Hong Kong has already kick-started this year with incredible momentum - visitor arrivals for the first two months of 2026 surged 18% year on year; nearly 10 million visitors have already visited Hong Kong this year. With such a good start, she looked forward to the development of Hong Kong's tourism in 2026.

As for the development target, Miss Rosanna Law expects annual visitor arrivals to reach 53.8 million, an 8% increase over 2025. Looking at the vibrancy of the streets and the packed events calendar in Hong Kong, she thought the target could be within reach quantitatively. Besides, she also raised the aim of pursuing value, quality, and lasting impact for Hong Kong tourism in 2026. Since today's travellers crave unique experiences that money alone cannot necessarily buy, Miss Rosanna Law hopes Hong Kong tourism can provide wonderful memories and stories that tourists will take home with them.

The LIV Golf Hong Kong, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The World Grand Prix, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

In order to achieve the aims, Miss Rosanna Law thought that Hong Kong needs to deeply integrate culture, sports, and tourism, in full alignment with the nation's freshly announced 15th Five-Year Plan. Specifically, the concept of "+Tourism" ought to be embraced, taking the sectors where Hong Kong already shines and applying the "+Tourism" multiplier to unlock their full potential.  

Black Pink's Hong Kong concert, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The famous Mainland singer, Mr. Zhou Shen's Hong Kong concert, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Hong Kong Arts Festival, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The M+ Museum Exhibition, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Hong Kong New Year Countdown, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Chinese New Year Night Parade, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Chinese New Year Fireworks Display, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Horse Raceday, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

The Chinese New Year Cup, Photo source; FB@Miss Rosanna Law

She mentioned that the following aim would be to solidify Hong Kong's status as a year-round, world-class capital of mega events by holding a series of exceptional activities in the aspects of art, sports, catering, cruise tourism, etc. Besides, she also stated that, as announced in the 2026-27 Budget, $1.66 billion will be allocated for the Hong Kong Tourism Board to ensure the "Mega Events + Tourism" multiplier effect turns visitor flow into consumption flow, and short-term buzz into long-term economic gain. 

The 2026-27 Budget, Photo by Bastille Post

Moreover, she mentioned Hong Kong's unique geographical advantage and encouraged further deepening Hong Kong's role as a super-connector between the world and the GBA by developing more multi-destination travel products for travellers from home and abroad.

Looking forward to the future, she held strong confidence in Hong Kong's tourism development and expressed her readiness to show the world Hong Kong's energy, resilience, and unique charm.

Miss Rosanna Law at the 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Overview, Photo source: FB@Miss Rosanna Law

As for the full version of Miss Rosanna Law's words, please refer to her personal FB: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10173984130860603&id=659010602&rdid=z2UhDKiEAloFPCEp#

Remarks by DSJ at 61st session of United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (March 18, Geneva time) finished attending the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Joining him for the meeting were representatives of the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. Officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attended the meeting as members of the Chinese delegation.

Following are the remarks by Dr Cheung at the session.

Agenda item 4 general debate on human rights situations that require the Council's attention

Mr President,

The implementation of the National Security Law has successfully safeguarded national sovereignty and security, and ensured long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, China.

It is every sovereign state's inherent right to enact national security laws. China is no exception. For example, the United Kingdom has at least 14 pieces of national security legislation, including the sweeping National Security Act of 2023.It is hypocritical of any country to demand another country to repeal its own national security law and leave it defenseless.

Jimmy Lai's case was mentioned yesterday. I am obliged to point out that he was defended by a team of lawyers of his own choice and received a fair trial for his offences endangering national security. The court's verdict and sentence were published with detailed reasons, for which he chose not to appeal. Lai has received appropriate treatment in custody and never made any complaint. Any suggestion that certain individuals should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

All in all, we oppose the biased allegations concerning Hong Kong's situation, which have ignored the objective facts demonstrating our remarkable achievements.

Mr President, let me share with you some figures. Last year, Hong Kong was ranked the world's freest economy, No.1 in global IPO(initial public offering) market rankings, and No.1 as Asia's largest hedge fund hub and cross-boundary wealth management centre.

The common law system of Hong Kong is internationally renowned. Hong Kong was ranked the second-most preferred seat of arbitration worldwide last year. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently, fairly, impartially and openly. Judgments of the Court of Final Appeal were cited as persuasive authorities in overseas common law jurisdictions on close to 50 occasions in the past six years.

These are testaments to the trust and confidence that businesses and people have in the freedom, stability and the rule of law of Hong Kong.

We will continue to safeguard national security and protect legitimate rights and interests of all individuals. Thank you, Mr President.

Agenda item 5 general debate on human rights bodies and mechanism

Mr Vice-President,

China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue and co-operation on human rights issues within the UN framework on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

The human rights of Hong Kong residents are constitutionally guaranteed and protected under the National Security Law. The provisions of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) as applied to Hong Kong are incorporated in local law.

Human rights protection is further underpinned by the rule of law and the Judiciary which acts impartially and independently.

Since the enactment of the National Security Law over fiveyears ago, prosecutions for national security offences constituted less than 0.2 per cent of all criminal proceedings.

We note that the representative of the Netherlands mentioned Chow Hang-tung's case. We urge member states to respect the rule of law and refrain from interfering with on-going legal proceedings in Hong Kong's court.

We are firmly committed as ever to the protection of human rights and always seek to make improvements based on actual circumstances. Thank you.

Remarks by DSJ at 61st session of United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases