Over 4 Million Visitor Arrivals in September, up 22% Year on Year Visitor Arrivals Exceed 40 Million in the First Three Quarters of 2026

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

Rosanna Law expects 1.29 million tourist arrivals during Golden Week, representing a​ 5% increase compared to last year. She also struck an optimistic tone​ regarding tourism spending growth, noting that​ the food and beverage industry saw​ a 20% increase during last year's​ Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law. Rosanna Law FB photo.

As China's Golden Week holiday draws near, Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, shared insights into the city's strategies to diversify its tourism products and elevate visitor spending on Bloomberg’s The China Show yesterday.

Lantern display in Victoria Park. Image by ISD

Rosanna revealed that various events, including a fireworks display tonight, are lined up to boost the city's​ festive mood. “Many retailers are offering big promotions. Lantern displays will continue, and we will have Halloween festivities​ throughout the month,” she added. “At the end of October, we will have the Wine and Dine Festival. It is going to be a very busy season.”

Rosanna said the goal for Hong Kong tourism is to attract both the Mainland and the global tourists. She revealed that local carrier, Cathay Pacific, is expanding the flight coverage by planning another batch of new flights next year, which will expand the network to about 150 destinations.

Tourists. Photo by Bastille Post

As for hotel capacity, she noted that the city has 90% or higher expected occupancy during the Golden Week during the coming Golden Week. She stated the situation of Hong Kong hotel industry is steady and healthy. “We are not oversupplied, but we also have flexibility to manage demand​ during the peak season,” she said.

The Secretary also shared her hope for tourism development in the Northern Metropolis. She anticipates the development of new tourism facilities and the hosting of sports and cultural events​ in the area in the future. “So correspondingly, hotels will be on the drawing board as well,” she added.