The Hong Kong tourism industry is currently grappling with a significant decline in visitor spending compared to pre-pandemic benchmarks. Recent reports indicate that total tourist expenditure reached HK$197.5 billion last year, a figure that sits 44% below the levels recorded in 2018. Industry leaders and stakeholders are now calling for a strategic shift to revitalize the sector.

Lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung, who also serves as the chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited, has been a vocal proponent for change. Yiu argues that the decline is not merely a result of fewer visitors, but a fundamental shift in global travel behavior. According to Yiu, modern tourists are increasingly prioritizing unique, experiential activities and in-depth cultural exploration over the traditional focus on retail and shopping.

To address this, the industry is urging the government and tourism boards to facilitate more experiential events and improve cross-border cooperation. The goal is to align Hong Kong’s offerings with the evolving preferences of travelers who seek meaningful engagement rather than just commercial transactions. While the industry acknowledges the challenge of returning to 2018 spending levels, the proposed strategy focuses on long-term adaptation to these changing travel patterns rather than relying on historical models of tourism.