Visitor arrivals rise 6% in August as short-haul traffic sinks

Cumulative arrivals reached 36.67 million in the first eight months.

Hong Kong attracted 5.46 million visitors in August, a 6% year-on-year (YoY) increase and the highest monthly figure since the pandemic, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

Visitor arrivals in the first eight months (8M) of 2026 rose by 11% YoY to 36.67 million.

HKTB said that major international MICE and mega events held in August attracted a diverse range of visitors and helped drive arrivals from the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, the UK, and other source markets.

Events included The 16th Worldwide Chinese Life Insurance Congress & 2026 IDA Annual Conference, Hong Kong Football Festival 2026, and the TMElive International Music Awards.

Provisional figures show that about 4.6 million arrivals in August were from the Chinese Mainland, up 8% YoY. Non-Chinese Mainland arrivals declined by 5% to 887,092.

Long-haul arrivals grew 18% to 289,489 and new markets increased 10% to 65,142. Short-haul was the only segment that declined in August, down 16% to 404,828.

The city recorded 28.7 million arrivals (+13%) from the Chinese Mainland in 8M, whilst 7.94 million arrivals (+4%) came from non-Chinese Mainland markets.

In 8M, long-haul arrivals increased 19% to 2.58 million and new markets rose 15% to 550,074. Short-haul arrivals slipped 4% to about 4.03 million.

“Visitor growth in short-haul markets continued to face challenges owing to factors such as flight capacity, fuel surcharges and regional competition,” the board said.

“Looking ahead to the coming months, HKTB will step up its promotions of both Chinese and Western festivals,” it said.

It highlighted future flagship events such as the Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, Hong Kong WinterFest, and Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations.