Hong Kong will be hosting more than 100 mega-events within the next six months in different sectors, according to chief executive of Kong Kong John Lee Ka-chiu.
The forthcoming events, comprising 60 new entries to the city’s events calendar, will attract around 1.7 million visitors to Hong Kong and stimulate around $923 million in consumer spending. During the second half of the year, Hong Kong will add 60 mega events to its lineup, raising the total number of events this year to 210, a 40 percent increase compared to the beginning of the year’s plans. “This means that Hong Kong will have at least one mega event every two days,” Lee added.
The mega events will encompass different sectors including cultural and creative activities, festival parades, sports competitions, trade fairs, financial summits, and more.
During the first four months of 2024, Hong Kong saw a surge in visitor arrivals to 14.62 million, double that of the same period last year. Moreover, the number of visitors from the United States, Canada and Indonesia increased by 80 percent in April, with most spending more than one day in the region.
Read: China introduces visa-free entry for tourists entering on cruise ships
The city’s aviation transportation capacity will have returned to its pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, making it easier for more long-haul passengers to visit Hong Kong, the chief executive added.
In addition, the central government’s recent measures have supported Hong Kong’s tourism sector with the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme to more mainland cities.
Hong Kong’s government will continuously collaborate with the central government to implement more measures that boost tourism. This includes increasing the tax allowance for Chinese mainland visitors to stimulate domestic growth.
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