Speech by USCST at opening ceremony of 40th International Travel Expo Hong Kong and 21st MICE Travel Expo
Following is the speech by the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, at the opening ceremony of the 40th International Travel Expo (ITE) Hong Kong and 21st MICE Travel Expo today (June 11):
Mr Tong (Founder and Managing Director of TKS Exhibition Services, Mr Tong Kam-shing), (Vice Governor of the Fujian Provincial People's Government, Ms Jiang Erxiong), Dr Peter Lam (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board), Director Zhang Dong (Director of the Asia Tourism Exchange Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China), Consuls General, friends from the trade, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. I am happy to join you at the opening ceremony of the 40th International Travel Expo and the 21st MICE Travel Expo. On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government, I extend our warmest welcome to you all.
This 40th anniversary of the International Travel Expo is a historic milestone. I am delighted to see more than 400 exhibitors from 55 countries and regions gathered here. It is wonderful to see that the China Pavilion returns as the largest showcase this year, alongside new exhibitors joining from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Your presence is a strong vote of confidence in Hong Kong as a premier destination for business and leisure.
Last year, Hong Kong welcomed about 50 million visitors, a 12 per cent increase over 2024. This momentum has carried into 2026. In the first five months, we received about 23 million arrivals, a 14 per cent year-on-year growth. This robust performance fuels growth across our hotels, retail, and catering sectors.
Yet, Hong Kong's story is told not just in numbers, but in the unique experiences that blend culture, sports, and tourism. For sports fans, the excitement ranges from the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens to the Hong Kong Football Festival with legendary European clubs. For art lovers and cultural enthusiasts, we host premier global events like Art Basel, Art Central, ComplexCon and world-class concerts and exhibitions. Together with different flagship events organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), like the International Dragon Boat Races to be held later this month, the Wine & Dine Festival in end-October and the New Year Countdown, there is always a reason to visit.
As Asia's culinary capital, our vibrant dining scene is showcased by hosting the award ceremonies of World's 50 Best Bars in 2025 and Asia's 50 Best Restaurants this year. HKTB's "Taste Hong Kong" Gourmet Guide further amplifies this narrative, leading visitors to explore from the local flavours of "cha chaan tengs" to Michelin-starred dining.
The blend of lifestyle and professional pursuits makes Hong Kong a top "bleisure" destination. A critical driver of this visitor ecosystem is our Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. In 2025, there were about 2.5 million MICE visitors, a 7 per cent increase over 2024. The Government is committed to elevating Hong Kong's status as a premier MICE destination, and platforms like this Expo are pivotal to that goal.
This focus is amplified by Hong Kong's integral role within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), which represents a vast, dynamic consumer market of over 86 million people. The excellent connectivity with the GBA unlocks the immense potential for "multi-destination" travel and elevates Hong Kong's value proposition as an unparalleled regional hub for business and tourism.
Looking ahead, the Government is charting a roadmap for sustainable growth of tourism. A key initiative is the proactive diversification of our visitor source market. We are very delighted to welcome a strong delegation of exhibitors from the Middle East to the Expo this year, which perfectly aligns with our ongoing efforts to expand Muslim-friendly tourism.
I encourage you not only to seize the business opportunities at this Expo but also to experience Hong Kong's vibrant pulse for yourselves.
Before I close, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to ITE 2026 for another year of success and wish everyone good health and prosperity. May your time in Hong Kong be rewarding and memorable.
Thank you.
The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, Photo source: reference image
