Spending by visitors to Hong Kong Tourism Market is projected to reach USD 7.1 billion in 2025, powered by much-revived cross-border travel, the reinstatement of international events and an expansion of cultural and eco-tourism segments. The dollar-volume industry estimated to reflect a USD 15.9 billion by 2035, with a lovely CAGR of 8.3%.
This pattern of growth promises to cement the city’s deliberate pivot away from its historic reliance on tourism from luxury shopping to a more robust tourism economy that encompasses wellness retreats, culinary heritage tours and immersive cultural experiences.
Hong Kong has re-established its status as a regional crossroads between East and West - through high-speed rail links with Mainland China, broadened air access to secondary Southeast Asian cities and alliances with such international event marketers as Art Basel and RISE.
In recent years, the city has made significant infrastructure developments, including the expansion to Terminal 2 at the Hong Kong International Airport, the Kai Tak Sports Park mega complex, and the all-in operating West Kowloon Station high-speed rail terminal, providing greater capacity and accessibility to the business and leisure trips.
Meanwhile, tourism authorities have accelerated focused recovery campaigns such as “Hello Hong Kong,” “Night Vibes Hong Kong,” featuring curated tourism incentives, pop-up festivals and reduced transport passes for Gen Z and family segments.
As these initiatives begin to take hold, Hong Kong is regaining its position as one of Asia’s best urban destinations, recalibrating to changes in traveler preferences, while remaining firmly planted in its value proposition via heritage, convenience and cross-border connectivity (Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board).
Market Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated Hong Kong Tourism Market Size (2025E) | USD 7.1 billion |
| Projected Value (2035F) | USD 15.9 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 8.3% |
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H1 2025: Growth in Hong Kong's tourism sector, which recorded a CAGR of 7.9%, was mainly driven by short stay leisure arrivals from Mainlnad China and Thailand. Targeting more affluent travelers from Taiwan and Singapore, the 2024 “Hello Hong Kong” campaign saw a high ROI from regional influencers and duty-free offerings (Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board).
From September to December 2024, the “Night Vibes Hong Kong” initiative drew more than 2.5 million visitors, propelling nightlife and festival-based tourism.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Market Value (2025) | USD 6.6 billion |
| Mainland China Share | 54%, led by Greater Bay Area residents |
| Southeast Asia Share | 23%, mainly Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore |
| Europe Share | 11%, driven by UK, France, Germany |
| Americas & Others | 12%, led by USA, Canada, Australia |
| Top Attractions | Victoria Peak, West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Tai Kwun |
| Economic Impact | ~217,000 direct tourism jobs (Source: Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department) |
| Key Trends | Heritage-to-Hipster walking tours, sustainable hotel retrofits, AI-powered concierge platforms |
| Peak Travel Seasons | Lunar New Year (Jan-Feb), Golden Week (Oct), Christmas (Dec), Art Basel Hong Kong (March) |
| Metric | Domestic Travelers : International Travelers |
|---|---|
| Estimated Count in 2025 | 3.2 million : 35.1 million |
| Projected Count in 2035 | 4.5 million : 61.3 million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 3.4% : 9.2% |
Visitors from outside of Hong Kong will continue to hold the most share and dominate inbound tourism in Hong Kong, with volume expected to reach 35.1million in 2025 and projected to increase at a strong CAGR of 9.2% to 61.3million in 2035.
Part of this development is triggered by convenient high-speed rail connections from across the border through cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan, and the full onslaught of direct flights to emerging Southeast Asian cities like Cebu, Da Nang and Chiang Mai.
The city’s own bidding for a share of MICE tourism, as well as its staging of a range of cultural festivals like Art Basel Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, have only added to its appeal on the global stage.
In contrast, domestic travel is projected to increase more modestly at a CAGR of 3.4%, fueled by locals increasingly turning to “staycation” adventures and short cultural getaways. The “In-Town Tourism” program from the Tourism Commission has given locals a reason to visit heritage-rich enclaves such as Sheung Wan and Yau Ma Tei, while boutique hotels and cultural guesthouses in Sai Kung and Stanley are getting popular for weekend escapes.
Though the international segment will continue to be the cornerstone of growth, domestic tourism will play a vital role in stabilizing weekday occupancy rates, supporting smaller operators and redistributing tourism in Hong Kong’s lesser-known districts.
| Date | Development & Details |
|---|---|
| Mar 2025 | “Cultural Rhythms” campaign launched, targeting Gen Z travelers through music partnerships |
| Jan 2025 | Cross-boundary rail services to Zhaoqing and Nansha introduced at West Kowloon Station |
| Nov 2024 | Rosewood Hong Kong achieved Green Globe certification with a 31% reduction in energy use |
| Oct 2024 | Cathay Pacific resumed long-haul flights to Tel Aviv and Seattle |
| Sep 2024 | AI baggage tracking launched at Terminal 1 in HKIA |
Cultural Tourism Drive Revenue Recovery
Cultural tourism is a key driver of Hong Kong's post-pandemic tourism recovery, amounting to an estimated USD 725 million in 2024 alone. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has worked hard to rebrand the city, showcasing it as a vibrant cultural centre, taking advantage of its East-meets-West status. And travelers are selecting Hong Kong not just for its shopping, but for its restored heritage assets and its overall creative, contemporary districts.
The metamorphosis from Central Market to lifestyle-retail hybrid space, where Hong Kong design brands mingle and Cantonese street food stalls are plentiful, had become a key attraction for domestic and overseas tourists alike. Institutions such as the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts have broadened their mission to include contemporary exhibitions, Cantonese opera performances and international artist residencies, all appealing to both Gen Z travelers and art collectors.
Cultural programming now reaches beyond Central, with Sham Shui Po positioned as a grassroots design destination. Travelers join guided tours through historic textile lanes and attend pop-up galleries in reactivated tong laus. Meanwhile, the West Kowloon Cultural District has become a magnet for regional visitors, especially from Guangzhou and Taipei, offering M+ Museum’s digital art installations and the Xiqu Centre’s modernized Chinese opera shows.
Kowloon Core Generates Significant Revenue in the Hong Kong Tourism Industry
In fact, Kowloon Core brings in a lot of revenue to Hong Kong’s tourism, which packs a lot of high-valued sites in a small area where millions of travelers go by every year. TsimSha Tsui, a retail and hospitality destination that includes Harbour City, one of Asia’s largest shopping malls, and The Peninsula Hong Kong, a venerable five-star hotel that charges a premium, is chockablock with tourists. Luxury brands pack along Canton Road, catering to wealthy tourists from Mainland China, Southeast Asia and beyond.
Cultural tourism boosts revenue even further. The M+ Museum within Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, which features film and visual art, has proven popular, as has the Hong Kong Palace Museum, drawing crowds of art lovers and ticket sales.
Kowloon’s Victoria Harbour waterfront, which includes the Symphony of Lights show and ferry access, captures both day- and night-time spend. Cruise tourism plays a part too, thanks to the Ocean Terminal becoming a major port-of-call for overseas cruise liners, delivering high-spending passengers directly into retail and dining precincts.
The area’s MTR transport, high-speed rail link to Shenzhen, and cross-border coach services round out the seamless connectivity, with high tourist throughput. This infrastructure, complemented by high-end retail, ambitious hotels, and inventive cultural institutions, has ensured that Kowloon Core betters other clusters in terms of both per-visitor spend and overall tourism revenue.
| Firm | Specialization |
|---|---|
| Cathay Pacific | Premium international carrier focused on long-haul business and leisure routes |
| Rosewood Hotels | Luxury hospitality brand emphasizing cultural immersion and sustainability |
| Klook | Experience platform for digitally-savvy travelers seeking curated activities |
| MTR Corporation | Rail operator integrating real estate, retail, and tourism |
| Ocean Park Corporation | Theme park operator with edutainment and conservation tourism focus |
Cathay Pacific leads long-haul traffic with premium products for travelers from North America, Australia, and Europe. Klook has emerged as the default mobile-first experience platform, integrating ticketing and trip planning. Rosewood and boutique hotel operators dominate the upscale segment.
Cathay Pacific retains leadership in premium air traffic into Hong Kong. In 2024, Klook captured 35% of all online tour and activity bookings. HK Express, with its themed travel packages, secured 24% of seat capacity in regional short-haul routes. Rosewood's ADR of USD 105 per night and high occupancy rates position it as the top performer in the luxury accommodation space (Source: Hong Kong Hotel Association).
The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR is 8.3%.
The market is expected to reach USD 15.9 billion by 2035.
Growth is driven by enhanced regional connectivity, diversified cultural offerings, rise of digital travel services, and resurgence in business and MICE travel.
Key players include Cathay Pacific, Klook, Rosewood Hotels, HK Express, and Ocean Park Corporation.
Business, Leisure, Cultural, Religious, Medical, Bleisure
Mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe, Americas, Oceania, Middle East & Africa
Young Professionals, Family Groups, Solo Millennials, Luxury Seekers, Retirees
Kowloon Core, Island South, New Territories West, Outlying Islands, Cultural Quarters
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Hong Kong Tourism Market
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