Hong Kong overnight visitor spending dropped 37% in 2023 and is expected to return to 2019 levels this year, Tourism Board says

The board said on Friday that per capita spending by the group hit HK$9,700 (US$1,240) in the first quarter, but steadily declined to HK$6,100 by the end of the year, a 37 per cent drop.

Tourism chiefs attributed the decline to the combined effects of a strong Hong Kong dollar, uncertain economic conditions and a change in tourists’ behaviour.

The reduced per capita spending by overnight visitors would spill into 2024 and reach a full-year average of HK$5,800, the tourism body said. It added that the figure matched the levels in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic wrought havoc on global travel.

Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, the culture, sports and tourism secretary, said he hoped a series of incentives to boost the industry unveiled in the new budget would encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more.

A monthly pyrotechnic show set to begin as early as May was meant to “enrich tourists’ experiences”, he said.