Jockey Club supports 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum and hosts inaugural Tourism Cup to promote horse racing tourism with China Tourism Group

In support of the 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) today (10 June) hosted a closing banquet at Happy Valley Racecourse for forum guests. The inaugural Tourism Cup was also held on the same evening, in collaboration with strategic partner China Tourism Group (CTS Holdings HK) (“CTG”) to promote horse racing tourism and reinforce the city’s position as an international tourism hub.

Organised by CTG, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (“TIC”) and the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners (“FHKHO”), the 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum was held under the theme of “Win-win Collaboration · Tech-Empowerment — Supporting Hong Kong in Consolidating its Position as a World-Class Premier Tourism Destination” – attracting over 500 guests from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (front row, 4th right); and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Club (front row, 3rd left); Wang Haimin, Chairman of China Tourism Group (front row, 4th left) together with members of Board of Management of the Club and other guests attend the closing banquet of the 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of the Club, congratulated the success of the 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum and welcomed guests to Happy Valley Racecourse to experience the unique atmosphere of Hong Kong’s world-class racing. He said horse racing, deeply loved by the public, is an iconic symbol of the city. It has become one of Hong Kong’s most compelling tourism attractions for visitors from around the world. CTG as the Club’s strategic partner, has brought nearly 11,000 high-end travellers to the racecourses since last year, he noted. So far this season, the Club has welcomed a record 350,000 tourists – an increase of 94% compared with last year – demonstrating the growing appeal of horse racing tourism, he said.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said cumulative tourist attendance at the racecourses this season has continued to break records, underscoring that horse racing has become one of Hong Kong’s most compelling tourism attractions for visitors from around the world.

Jian Yi, Vice General Manager of CTG expressed his gratitude to the Club for sponsoring the closing banquet of the 2026 Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum. He said CTG and the Club have integrated resources across multiple areas, including the establishment of a regular communication mechanism, joint organisation of the New Quality Productive Forces Summer Study Tour, development of co-branded cultural and creative merchandises, participation in the International Travel Expo Hong Kong, and promotion of horse racing tourism experiences. These achievements demonstrate that cross-sector cooperation and strong partnerships are key to driving innovation in Hong Kong’s tourism development.

Jian Yi, Vice General Manager of China Tourism Group (left), presents The Hong Kong Jockey Club with a model of the “Adora Magic City” cruise ship. Casper Stylsvig, Executive Director, Sports Business of the Club (right), presents CTG with a horse sculpture, marking another important milestone in the collaboration between both parties.

During the banquet, Jian Yi, Vice General Manager of CTG, presented the Club with a model of the “Adora Magic City” cruise ship. Casper Stylsvig, Executive Director, Sports Business of the Club, presented CTG with a horse sculpture, marking another important milestone in the collaboration between the two parties.

Jian Yi, Vice General Manager of China Tourism Group (left), presents The Hong Kong Jockey Club with a model of the “Adora Magic City” cruise ship. Casper Stylsvig, Executive Director, Sports Business of the Club (right), presents CTG with a horse sculpture, marking another important milestone in the collaboration between both parties.

The Tourism Cup was won by the Tony Cruz-trained Viva Firecracker under jockey Karis Teetan.

The Hon Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (front row, 5th right), presents the Tourism Cup Trophy to the representative of winning owner Arnaldo Ho Yau Heng (front row, 5th left). Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board (front row, 4th right) presents a miniature trophy to the winning trainer Tony Cruz (front row, 2nd left). The Hon Perry Yiu, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited (front row, 3rd right); and The Hon Vivian Kong, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR (front row, 2nd right) jointly present a miniature trophy to the winning jockey Karis Teetan (front row, 1st left). In attendance are The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (front row, 1st right); Stewards of the Club; and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Club (back row, 1st left).

Last year, the Club signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CTG to strengthen their strategic partnership in support of tourism, sports, cultural exchange and youth development, with the aim of promoting tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The collaboration includes the joint promotion of horse racing tourism by incorporating the Club’s Happy Valley, Sha Tin and Conghua racecourses into CTG’s travel itineraries - Conghua will host regular race meetings starting from October.

Young people are a vital force for societal progress. To enhance upward social mobility among youth, and in line with the goals set out in the Government’s Youth Development Blueprint, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust launched JC YUP in 2025 with a donation of over HK$440 million. The project’s innovative strategy provides targeted interventions at the three critical development junctures in young people’s transition from school to work. It supports young people in building a sense of pride, broadening their career horizons and laying a solid foundation for a positive career trajectory as they begin their working lives.

To highlight the proud moments of young people participating in the project, the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” was held today (17 July), bringing together students, school representatives and NGO partners to share their experiences, learning journeys from self-initiated challenges and achievements from the past year. Officiating at the opening ceremony were Edward Yau, JC YUP Advisory Committee Convenor; and Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Edward Yau, JC YUP Advisory Committee Convenor (4th right), Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left) and other guests officiate at the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” opening ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Winnie Ying noted that nurturing children and youth in families is one of the priority areas of the Club’s charities strategy, and the Club supports a wide array of youth activities and services in the community. Through JC YUP, the Club hopes to provide targeted interventions at three critical stages of youth development and identify effective evidence-based approaches that enable community resources to be deployed in a more targeted manner and achieve sustainable impact.

Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, shared at the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” opening ceremony.

This ultimately helps young people establish positive development trajectories and creates greater opportunities for upward mobility over the long term. She added that she hopes the unique proud moments created by young people through the project become a driving force in their growth journey. Also at the event, Edward Yau shared his personal experiences to encourage young people to build the confidence to challenge themselves and explore life’s limitless possibilities.

JC YUP is one of the five youth development initiatives supported by the Club's Charities Trust under a HK$1.4 billion commitment announced in celebration of the Club's 140th anniversary last year. Collaborating with 25 partners, including schools, NGOs, universities and the business sector, the five-year JC YUP project adopts an adaptive intervention design to provide individualised and timely support according to each young person’s development needs and trajectory, as well as the rapidly changing environment.

Students from JC YUP participating schools perform at the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” opening ceremony.

The first stage of the project enables Form 1 students to create “Proud Moments” through self-initiated challenges, which build confidence and a sense of pride. The second stage of the project provides different types of workplace experience for young people to understand multiple pathways and various future job roles. The third stage of the project is a two-year “Professional Traineeship” programme for young people entering the workforce, creating a new progression pathway connecting school and theworkplace. JC YUP is expected to pilot in 50 secondary schools and benefit 30,000 students. For more details, please visit: https://www.jcyup.hk/en

Students from JC YUP participating schools and NGO partners share their experiences and learning outcomes from the past year.

In addition to donations, the Club’s Human Resources Department supported the project by organising a one-week career exploration and internship programme last month for five Form 4 students from JC YUP participating schools. Hosted by various divisions across the Club, the students gained first-hand exposure to a wide range of functions, workplace environments and career pathways.

Group photo.

Over the years, the Club has initiated and supported a wide range of programmes that empower young people to realise their potential and contribute as active citizens. In addition to CLAP@JC, which has uplifted the professional standards and service quality of career and life development education and services, 21C@JC, which has transformed youth service in the digital era, and JC LevelMind, which provides “Always On” mental wellbeing support services, the Club has supported the HKSAR Government’s annual youthfest@HK since its launch three years ago, which features a wide range of activities designed to bring young people together and to inspire them to realise a hopeful future. The Club has also supported the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme for over three consecutive years. The programme helps young people from underprivileged backgrounds broaden their horizons, strengthen their self-confidence and set goals for the future.

Five Form 4 students from JC YUP participating schools took part in a one-week career exploration and internship programme organised by the Club last month.

The Club’s support for JC YUP, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Five Form 4 students from JC YUP participating schools took part in a one-week career exploration and internship programme organised by the Club last month.