HK Visitor Arrivals Rise 11% in First Seven Months as Mega Event Pipeline Builds for Second-Half Boost

Hong Kong recorded approximately 31.22 million visitor arrivals in the first seven months of 2026, representing an 11% year-on-year increase, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced on August 17.

Visitors in Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

The Mainland market maintained stable overall performance, while long-haul markets continued to show solid growth momentum. A series of signature mega events will be rolled out in the second half of the year, spanning festivals, sports and culinary experiences, to attract visitors to Hong Kong.

HKTB pointed out that although long-haul markets continued to demonstrate robust growth, short‑haul markets faced headwinds amid rising fuel costs and airline capacity adjustments driven by the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board, Photo source: reference image

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, HKTB will roll out a series of signature mega events spanning festivals, sports, and culinary experiences. Highlights include the Hong Kong Cyclothon, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, the Hong Kong WinterFest, and the Hong Kong New Year Countdown. New additions this year include a major Mid‑Autumn Festival event and the "Halloween Month" to draw visitors' participation.

Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

HKTB will continue to work closely with the trade to roll out diversified promotional campaigns, encouraging visitors to explore different neighbourhoods and unique travel experiences across Hong Kong. The aim is to extend visitors' length of stay, boost spending, and generate greater economic benefits for the tourism and related sectors.

Photo source: FB@Tamar Talk

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that preliminary visitor arrivals reached
approximately 4.03 million in September, representing a 22% increase over the same period last year. Driven by the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and a series of festive events held across the city, including the annual Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival and the inaugural “International Lantern Spectacular”, as well as a comparatively low base due to adverse weather during the same period last year, visitor arrivals from the Chinese Mainland increased by nearly 30% year-on-year in September. Long-haul markets continued to grow at an ideal pace. Short-haul markets also benefited from festive events, but visitor growth remained under some pressure due to factors such as flight capacity constraints and fuel surcharges.

Preliminary visitor arrivals reached approximately 4.03 million in September, representing a 22% increase over the same period last year. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

For the first nine months of this year, cumulative visitor arrivals reached approximately 40.7 million, up 12% from a year earlier, reflecting the continued growth momentum of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. With upcoming mega events including the “Hong Kong Halloween Month”, the “Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival”, the “Hong Kong WinterFest” and the “Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations”, HKTB will continue to promote Hong Kong through event tourism, MICE tourism and diverse “Only in Hong Kong” experiences, and work with the industry to attract more high-value visitors to the city.

Visitors in Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image

Visitors in Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image

Photo source: HKTB