Tourism Board gets $1.66b under 2026 Budget

The funding targets events and higher-spending visitors.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his 2026-27 Budget Speech that  visitor arrivals rose 12% last year, and the government will allocate $1.66b to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for the coming year.

HKTB will scale up its flagship events and promotion, introducing new elements and extending event duration, and organise more signature festive events. It will also launch a new show themed around light festivals across various locations at different times of the year to replace “A Symphony of Lights.”

HKTB will step up marketing in Mainland cities outside Guangdong and in emerging markets including ASEAN and the Middle East to draw more high-end overnight visitors, Chan said. The Government will also promote the hosting of more conferences, exhibitions and incentive travel events in Hong Kong.

Ship calls to Hong Kong reached 189 last year, a 26% year-on-year (YoY) increase, and the HKTB will seek to attract more international cruises to include Hong Kong in their itineraries.