Hong Kong can expect more tourists this year but they will be spending less per head, according to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Visitors are expected to spend an average of HK$5,800 on overnight stays this year, a 16 per cent decrease from last year.
The bureau’s estimated that per capita expenditure by overnight visitors stands at HK$5,800, according to figures released in the 2024 budget on Wednesday, down from last year’s HK$6,939. Overnight visitors spent HK$6,614 in 2018.
See also: Hong Kong finance chief defends monthly HK$1 million fireworks after pushback from residents
Those figures are based on the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s departing visitor survey.
Meanwhile, the bureau expects a 35.3 per cent increase in visitor arrivals this year, from 34 million to 46 million. In 2018, Hong Kong saw 65.15 million total arrivals.
Hong Kong has struggled to revive its tourism industry since years-long Covid restrictions were lifted. Visitor figures have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, while tourism-related sectors have said recovery is being stalled by a manpower shortage.
According to Tourism Board data, the return of international visitors has been outpaced by tourists from mainland China, many of whom come to Hong Kong for day trips or low-cost tours, industry experts say.
Visitors staying for shorter periods
According to the 2024 budget figures, overnight visitors stayed an average of 3.6 nights last year but are expected to stay just 3.2 nights this year. Tourism minister Kevin Yeung told lawmakers last month that about half the tourists who visited Hong Kong last year stayed overnight.
The government’s provision for the tourism board, meanwhile, is expected to increase by 8.8 per cent this fiscal year, from HK$1.39 billion in 2023-24 to an estimated HK$1.52 billion.
Inbound tourism expenditure is expected to increase by 16.5 per cent, from HK$177.9 billion to HK$207.3 billion.
The bureau also listed matters requiring “special attention” in the 2024-25 fiscal year, including spreading “positive word-of-mouth” messages through media partnerships, organising familiarisation trips with influencers, staging mega events, and promoting the Greater Bay Area tourism brand.
Finance minister Paul Chan announced on Wednesday a HK$1.1 billion drive to promote “mega events” and boost tourism in Hong Kong, including monthly fireworks displays that would each cost HK$1 million.
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