Mega events boost Hong Kong economy, financial secretary says
Financial Secretary Paul Chan says mega events last week injected momentum into Hong Kong's economy. He cited data showing 2.51 million visitors attended over 360 events in 2025, with international exhibition visitors spending 70 per cent more than typical tourists. The government plans to expand co
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said consecutive mega events across various fields last week leveraged synergistic effects to inject momentum into Hong Kong's economy, according to a blog post published on Sunday, 8 November.
Chan pointed out that events such as investment summits, financial forums, and lifestyle exhibitions attracted large crowds and generated significant business opportunities for Hong Kong. He singled out a major luxury lifestyle festival, noting that it expanded the city's roles as a “super-connector” and “super-value-adder” from finance and trade into new lifestyle and experiential sectors.
Chan cited data from last year, revealing that the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo hosted more than 360 events, drawing 2.51 million visitors — a 7 per cent year-on-year increase. Of these, around 60 per cent were overnight tourists.
Industry research, Chan added, shows that international exhibition visitors spend an average of HK$9,300 per person, about 70 per cent more than the typical overnight tourist.
Chan said the government plans to move forward with the second phase of AsiaWorld-Expo’s development and the redevelopment of Wan Chai North, which will increase the city’s convention and exhibition space by over 40 per cent.