Hong Kong mega-events drive HK$5.8B spend from 1.75M visitors

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po revealed in his weekly blog that the city's mega-events drove HK$5.8 billion (US$739 million) in visitor spending during the first half of 2026. More than 1.75 million visitors attended over 130 events from January to June, with average spending of HK$3,314 per traveller. These events contributed HK$3.3 billion in economic value added, according to Chan. He credited art, cultural, and mega-events for lifting the overall atmosphere and boosting consumer demand, noting that total retail sales have risen for 14 consecutive months, up 9.6% in the first half of the year. Chan called Hong Kong "an event capital" rich in culture, arts, and sports, citing strong attendance and spending as evidence of the strategy's effectiveness.

Highlights included the Hong Kong Football Festival and the Audi Football Summit, held shortly after the FIFA World Cup. Chan said the three football matches alone attracted more than 120,000 visitors and generated over HK$180 million in ticket sales. Looking ahead, more than 100 events are scheduled for the second half of the year, including the Food Expo, National Day fireworks, the Hong Kong Cyclothon, and the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival. These events are expected to draw more than 1.85 million visitors, indicating sustained momentum for Hong Kong's tourism and retail sectors. The government is banking on this event-driven approach to further strengthen economic recovery and local consumer confidence.