Hong Kong Aims to Double Indian Tourist Influx with Festivals and Events in 2024

Hong Kong aims to double Indian tourist arrivals this year, bolstered by a series of festivals and events. In the first half of 2024, 1,81,000 Indians visited, nearing pre-Covid numbers. The HK Tourism Board targets Gen Z and Millennials, offering ease of travel and visa-free entry to promote frequent visits.

Hong Kong is planning to double the number of Indian tourists this year by hosting various festivals and events, according to a top executive from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Last year saw 2,08,000 Indians travelling to Hong Kong, but the aim is to double that figure in 2024. In the first half of this year alone, 1,81,000 Indians visited, which is 89% of the pre-Covid numbers. The Hong Kong Tourism Board's Director for South Asia and Middle East, Puneet Kumar, told PTI that they hope to surpass pre-Covid tourist levels, using 2018 as the benchmark year when 4 lakh Indians and 330 lakh international tourists visited Hong Kong.

The tourism industry in Hong Kong is recovering, with 340 lakh international visitors in 2023 and 210 lakh between January and June this year. Kumar noted that Hong Kong is being marketed as an all-year-round destination with excellent connectivity and a visa-free entry for Indian travelers, appealing mainly to Gen Z and Millennials who are keen on events like concerts and festivals. The HK Tourism Board is also focusing on both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segments, with Indians among the top spenders and extending their stays up to 4.5 days on average, compared to three days in 2018.

(With inputs from agencies.)