Hong Kong Sevens drives 10% April tourist surge to 4.21M visitors
Rugby tournament sparks 10% jump, with 4.21M arrivals in April.
Hong Kong's tourism sector posted strong growth in April, with visitor arrivals climbing 10% year on year to 4.21 million, fueled by the annual Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament. The Hong Kong Tourism Board reported that the first four months of 2026 saw 18.52 million total visitors, a 15% increase over the same period in 2025. The Sevens, held at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium in early April, was a major draw, particularly for international travelers.
Mainland China remained the largest source market, but non-mainland visitors also grew significantly, up 8% year on year to 1.11 million in April. Over the January-to-April period, non-mainland arrivals totaled 4.34 million, also an 8% rise. The board cautioned that the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran may impact future tourism numbers, but for now, the city is enjoying a robust recovery driven by major events.
- April tourist arrivals hit 4.21 million, up 10% year on year
- First four months total 18.52 million visitors, 15% higher than 2025
- Non-mainland visitors rose 8% in April to 1.11 million, driven by Hong Kong Sevens
Why It Matters
Major events like the Sevens are proving key to Hong Kong's tourism rebound, boosting both mainland and international visitor numbers.