14.31 million visits to Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2026: Mainland tourists leading the recovery, expected to exceed 53.8 million for the whole year

According to data statistics, there were approximately 4.35 million visits to Hong Kong in March 2026, a year-on-year increase of 14%, and the proportion of international tourists steadily increased. Based on a good start to the first quarter, the number of visitors to Hong Kong for the whole year is expected to reach 53.8 million, an increase of about 8% year-on-year, indicating a steady pace of high-quality recovery in the tourism industry.

1、 Mainland tourists lead the way, with both short distance travel and consumption rebounding in both directions

The recovery of Hong Kong tourism in the first quarter highlights the supportive role of mainland tourists. During the 9-day Spring Festival holiday, the number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong exceeded 1.5 million, with a year-on-year increase of 6.3% in daily passenger flow. Core business districts such as Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui were bustling with people, and the retail, catering, and hotel industries rebounded simultaneously. From a structural perspective, mainland tourists mainly take short weekend trips and family leisure trips. The convenience of high-speed rail and port clearance has promoted the trend of "leaving at will", coupled with the expansion of individual travel cities and the simplification of visa processing, further unleashing travel demand.

The number of mainland tourists has not only increased, but their consumption power has also continued to rebound. High end shopping malls, luxury stores, and specialty restaurants have seen a double increase in foot traffic and revenue, with hotel occupancy rates generally exceeding 90% during the Spring Festival period. At the same time, non mainland tourists reached 3.23 million in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 8%, and long-distance market tourists reached 990000, a year-on-year increase of 19%. International customer sources have steadily recovered. In March, major events such as Art Basel and Art Central attracted collectors and tourists from around the world, with international visitors accounting for 27% and a more diverse customer base.

2、 Driven by both major events and policies, the foundation for recovery continues to strengthen

This round of recovery is not accidental, but a concentrated release of policy dividends and urban attractiveness. The central government continues to optimize measures to facilitate travel to Hong Kong, with individual travel covering 59 cities, improved cross-border transportation capacity, and optimized customs clearance efficiency, making travel for mainland tourists smoother. Hong Kong, on the other hand, is positioned as the "capital of major events", with intensive events such as art exhibitions, New Year's Eve flower markets, and New Year parades held in the first quarter, attracting both the general public and high net worth customers.

The special economic zone government is synchronously promoting the "tourism+" strategy, promoting the deep integration of culture, tourism, sports, and exhibitions, and creating high value-added industries such as cruise tourism, medical tourism, and exhibition business. The steady growth of air transport capacity and the docking of multiple international cruise ships further support the recovery of long-distance passenger sources. Against the backdrop of global fluctuations, Hong Kong has become a popular choice for Asia Pacific tourism due to its advantages of security, stability, internationalization, and convenience.

3、 Stable expectations for the whole year, with high-quality development as the main focus

A good start in the first quarter lays the foundation for the whole year. It is expected that there will be 53.8 million visitors to Hong Kong in 2026. Although the growth rate has slowed down compared to the previous two years, there is a greater emphasis on quality and efficiency. In the coming months, the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens, Cheung Chau Bun Festival, summer events, and more will be held in relay to continue attracting foot traffic. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has adjusted its resource allocation, with 75% of the budget focused on the international market, expanding its customer base to ASEAN, the Middle East, and Europe, and 25% deeply cultivating non Guangdong cities in mainland China to promote the growth of overnight and high consumption customer groups.