Hong Kong records 17% rise in November visitors as numbers near full-year target

AdvertisementHong Kong tourismHong KongHong Kong EconomyHong Kong records 17% rise in November visitors as numbers near full-year targetCity nears 49 million target, with 45.2 million visitors so far as mega-events and new venues draw tourists from mainland China and beyondReading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPWynna WongPublished: 4:58pm, 15 Dec 2025Updated: 5:10pm, 15 Dec 2025Hong Kong recorded a 17 per cent rise in visitors in November to 4.2 million, compared with the same month last year, bringing total arrivals for the first 11 months close to the full-year forecast.The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on Monday that between January and November, tourist arrivals rose 12 per cent to 45.2 million. The city recorded double-digit growth among both mainland Chinese visitors and non-mainland travellers from long-haul, short-haul and emerging markets.Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said earlier she was confident Hong Kong would reach its target of 49 million visitors for the whole year, boosted by mega-events and the opening of the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Sports Park – the city’s latest performance venue.AdvertisementVisitors from the mainland accounted for about 73 per cent of the total in November and 76 per cent over the first 11 months.During the period, non-mainland long-haul visitors led the growth, rising 19 per cent to 3.16 million, followed by short-haul travellers, up 17 per cent to 5.85 million. Overall, non-mainland visitors increased by 16 per cent to 10.77 million.AdvertisementFinancial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in a blog post on Sunday that service exports had “delivered strong results” throughout the first three quarters of the year, amid an overall 3.3 per cent year-on-year economic growth, largely fuelled by the rebound in tourism.AdvertisementSelect VoiceChoose your listening speedGet through articles 2x faster1.25x250 WPMSlowAverageFast00:0000:001.25x