Chapter 19
Travel and Tourism
Hong Kong's inbound tourism regained growth momentum in 2017, thanks to the concerted efforts of the government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the trade, as well as additional government funding of over $240 million this year to increase the city's competitiveness as a premier travel destination.
Hong Kong received 58.47 million visitors in 2017, registering solid growth of 3.2 per cent over 2016. Mainland arrivals accounted for 76 per cent of the total arrivals, rebounding 3.9 per cent as downward pressure posed by the 'one trip per week' measure largely subsided two years after its implementation. The government's efforts to diversify tourism products and attract high-spending overnight visitors yielded a notable increase in overnight arrivals of 5 per cent, much higher than that of same-day arrivals.
In October, the government released a 'Tourism Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry' to strengthen the city's competitiveness as a major tourist destination in the region and further exploit the potential of its tourism resources. The blueprint sets forth the government's vision to develop Hong Kong into a world-class premier tourism destination and mission to ensure the balanced, healthy and sustainable development of the industry, and maps out 72 short, medium and long-term initiatives underpinned by four development strategies and 13 implementation goals.
Major Tourism Developments
The city makes special efforts to promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions), cruise tourism, mega events and green tourism, while boosting family and business travel.
MICE
Hong Kong is a premier MICE destination, offering world-class convention and exhibition facilities and a wide range of tourist attractions. A dedicated office, Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong, works under the Hong Kong Tourism Board to promote MICE tourism. The city hosts some of the world's largest trade fairs, such as the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair, and Hong Kong Watch and Clock. Fair.
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