Hong Kong sees 7% rise in exhibition visitors, boosting economy: finance chief
Hong Kong's exhibition visitor numbers rose 7% year-on-year to 2.51 million in 2025, with about 60% staying overnight. The city's economy grew 5.1% in the first three quarters, the fastest in five years, driven by a rebound in high-value tourism and major events.
Hong Kong's economy grew 5.1 per cent in the first three quarters of the year, the fastest pace for the period in five years, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in a blog post on 8 November. October visitor arrivals rose 11.8 per cent year-on-year, while retail sales in September increased 6.4 per cent and restaurant revenue in the third quarter rose 3.1 per cent.
Chan said the city's exhibition venues had been particularly busy over the past week, hosting financial summits and international fairs that attracted industry leaders and travellers from around the world. "This brings together people and business opportunities, injecting significant momentum into the local economy," he wrote.
After years of effort, the number of exhibitions held in Hong Kong has rebounded markedly, with a notable rise in high-value visitors. Last year, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Asia World-Expo jointly hosted more than 360 events, drawing 7.7 million participants. Exhibition visitors reached 2.51 million, up 7 per cent year-on-year, with about 60 per cent staying overnight.
Chan said the government would continue to promote events across different sectors and improve supporting infrastructure to sustain the growth of high-value tourism and the exhibition industry. Over the next two months, major events include the Hong Kong Winter Fest in Central, the Light Show extending to Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay, the Clockenflap music festival, international badminton tournaments at Kai Tak Sports Park, large-scale concerts and New Year countdown activities.
The second phase of Asia World-Expo is scheduled for completion in 2028, adding a multi-purpose venue with a capacity of about 20,000 people. Together with the redevelopment of the Wan Chai North area, Hong Kong's total exhibition space will increase by more than 40 per cent, providing organisers with a larger platform to realise new ideas. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will continue working with the industry to design unique experiences and services for high-value travellers.