Hong Kong tourism sector urges action with visitor spending 44% below 2018 level

Visitor spending in Hong Kong remains 44% below its 2018 level, prompting calls for more events and cross-border tourism cooperation. (Photo: South China Morning Post)

Hong Kong's tourism industry has called for more experiential events, enhanced transport measures and closer cross-border cooperation to draw overnight visitors, after tourist spending fell to HK$197.5 billion (830 billion baht) last year, 44% below its 2018 level.

Lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung, chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong), said on Friday that the fall reflected changing travel patterns, with tourists placing greater value on experiences and in-depth exploration than on shopping.