Hong Kong, (September 1, 2025) – The global travel and tourism industry is projected to contribute approximately US$16 trillion to the global GDP by the year 2034, expanding at a rate 1.5 times faster than the overall global economy, according to a recent report published by the World Economic Forum. SCMP’s Redefining Hong Kong – Culture, Sports & Tourism forum convened industry leaders, policymakers, and cultural influencers to discuss strategies for enhancing Hong Kong’s international brand and seizing opportunities within this flourishing sector.
Speakers at the forum highlighted the need for a “Hong Kong Inc.” mindset, emphasising unified cross-sector collaboration, ongoing investment in talent, and the creation of unique experiences to attract diverse audiences – whether they are music lovers, sports fans, cultural explorers, and nature enthusiasts. The vibrancy and diverse offerings of Hong Kong as a one-stop destination for mega sports events, high-quality cultural and arts performances, and a premier shopping and dining hub will drive further economic development and create extensive business and employment opportunities across the board. The continued success of Hong Kong depends on its ability to constantly reinvent itself and introduce new offerings that enrich the experiences of both residents and visitors.
“Hong Kong has a rather successful first eight months tourism-wise. We welcomed over 33 million visitors thus far, which is a 12 per cent increase year on year. With this promising performance, I am quite confident that we will be able to achieve our target of receiving 49 million visitors by the end of 2025, a 10 per cent above last year. We welcomed 5.15 million visitors in August alone, which is a 16 per cent growth year on year. This impressive performance is the collective effort of a lot of stakeholders and practitioners in the tourism and related sectors. We will continue to work closely with all the stakeholders to develop the economic potential of the culture, sports and tourism industry to the fullest extent.” – Hon Rosanna Law, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
“The South China Morning Post has deep roots in Hong Kong and is read by 35 million people worldwide. Our extensive archives, spanning over 120 years, document the city’s development and significant events. We embody a spirit that blends tradition with innovation, and continue to refresh the story of Hong Kong with integrity and excellence. Hong Kong’s rich mix of assets truly reflects its dynamic character. It blends urban vibrancy with stunning natural scenery. It showcases a rich history and cultural heritage alongside modern landmarks like the Kai Tak Sports Park. We are ready to cover the next chapter of Hong Kong’s journey, and welcome your support in this effort.” – Catherine So, CEO, South China Morning Post
“Hong Kong has a unique style of reinventing itself, and constantly thinks of the future. We now have Kai Tak Sports Park, which attracts some of the best international artists. People around the world recognise the significance of Hong Kong in the sports sector. And, culture-wise, we have WestK. We keep coming up with new things, and the important thing for Hong Kong is that we keep coming up with new products that enhance people.” – Dr Allan Zeman, GBM, GBS, JP, FCPA (Aust.), Chairman & CEO, Lan Kwai Fong Group
For further insights into the conference discussions, visit SCMP.
- Hong Kong arrivals surge 12%, post-Covid high of 5 million visitors in August
- Editorial | Marrying tourism with sports and culture a winning move for Hong Kong
SCMP’s Redefining Hong Kong – Culture, Sports & Tourism 2025 is supported by:
- Presenting Sponsor: Lan Kwai Fong Group
- Gold Sponsor: Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
- Strategic Cultural Partner: Hong Kong Ballet
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About the South China Morning Post (SCMP)
The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, the SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing staff of correspondents across Asia and the United States. Our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. The SCMP has received hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence from prestigious organisations such as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. The SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong, including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.