Hong Kong has hosted several memorable events this year, from the Hong Kong Marathon and Lacrosse Open 2024 to the drone shows and firework displays lighting up Victoria Harbour. The world-famous Doraemon has also been popping up all over the city as part of a fun campaign to elevate the tourism experience. 

The diverse line-up is a testament to our city’s efforts to position itself as the “Events Capital of Asia.” From the iconic Hong Kong Sevens to Art Basel and the thrilling dragon boat races, business conferences, consumer exhibitions and trade fairs, our calendar has been curated to appeal to visitors worldwide and boost tourism. 

The numbers speak for themselves. In the first seven months of 2024, the city welcomed over 25 million tourists, marking a 52% year-on-year increase. Notably, the number of non-Mainland visitors surged by an impressive 71%. Among the 1.6 million arrivals on long-haul flights, more than 360,000 hailed from emerging markets such as India, Vietnam, the Netherlands and several Arab countries. During the Olympic Games, where Hong Kong athletes shone bright with a four-medal haul, foot traffic at several shopping malls in the city surged by up to 20%. Some reported a 10% boost in sales thanks to well-organized viewing events and promotions.

The Deputy Financial Secretary predicts that the 210 mega events slated for this year will inject a substantial HK$4.3 billion into the economy. The special drone show during the Mid-Autumn Festival, fireworks and drone displays for November’s “Hong Kong WinterFest” and the grand pyrotechnic showcase for the New Year countdown are set to provide significant economic boosts.

Hong Kong is also committed to nurturing talent and fostering knowledge exchange within the local events ecosystem. By investing in training programmes and promoting best practices, we can enhance the reputation of our mega events, attracting top-tier organizers and world-renowned performers.

The publicity generated by such collaborations will have a lasting effect on consumer behaviour, playing an integral role in showcasing the best of Hong Kong. It also ties in neatly with sharing good stories about our city. Positive reporting from visitors can cement the city’s status as an attractive destination for tourism, sustaining and boosting consumption beyond the duration of each event. This amplified exposure will, in turn, attract foreign investment and foster business partnerships. 

I look forward to the upcoming line-up of events, which are sure to captivate both our residents and the thousands of travellers coming to our shores. As the “Events Capital of Asia,” we are poised to reap the myriad benefits for our economy and people.

Patrick Yeung

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