Hong Kong tourism spending plunges 44% as lawmaker urges experience-led revival

Hong Kong's tourism industry is pressing for a strategic overhaul after new Legislative Council research revealed that visitor spending tumbled 44% from pre-pandemic levels, dropping from approximately HK$353 billion in 2018 to just HK$197.5 billion (US$25.2 billion) last year. Lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung, chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong), publicly highlighted the decline on Friday, attributing it to a structural shift in traveler behavior rather than a simple downturn. Tourists today, he noted, prioritize experiential and in-depth exploration over traditional shopping, which has historically been Hong Kong's major draw.

Yiu called for a multi-pronged response: expanding the calendar of experiential events, improving transport connectivity both within the city and across the border, and fostering stronger synergy with neighboring regions. He acknowledged that external factors like weather, flight prices, and transport costs significantly impact the industry, but stressed that those are beyond local control. The focus, he argued, must be on enhancing the quality and variety of travel experiences to encourage longer stays and higher per-visitor spending. While lower tourist spending is a global trend, Yiu believes segments of visitors with strong purchasing power remain — but converting that into local revenue depends on whether Hong Kong can adapt its offerings quickly enough to meet new demand patterns.