Mega events set for 1st half of 2025

November 19, 2024

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong:

We are estimating that by the end of this year - we still have a few more weeks to go before the year end - the number of tourists will reach (about) 2 million, which is about 17% higher than the original estimate of about 1.7 million people. And in terms of the value-added, we are talking about $4.5 billion of the value-added and the total consumption (is about) $7.5 billion. Both of them are higher than our original estimates. 

We would continue to work hard to push the figures higher. We understand the difficulties and challenges (that) our retail sector has been going through. Economic contribution is important, but it is not the only thing. There are also all the intangible benefits, like positioning Hong Kong positively in the world. These are very important as well. I do believe that the mega-events campaign - actually we started it last year - has been playing a very positive role on this front.

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

At least 93 mega events will be held in Hong Kong in the first half of 2025, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong announced today.

At a press conference announcing the calendar of mega events, Mr Wong said the Government will continue to take a proactive role in promoting and attracting different mega events to Hong Kong with an emphasis on quality and quantity.

He added that the early publication of the new calendar will allow members of the public, tourists and related industries to learn about the mega events in Hong Kong, facilitating the early planning of visits to the city, or seizing business opportunities by designing and launching activities and products in collaboration with the mega events.

Mr Wong also noted that mega events will contribute to economic benefits for Hong Kong.

Based on the current data, it is estimated that approximately 840,000 tourists would participate in the mega events in the first half of 2025.

Their spending is estimated to be about HK$3.3 billion, bringing about HK$1.8 billion in value added to the Hong Kong economy.

As for this year, the Deputy Financial Secretary said the number of tourists participating in the mega events will reach about two million, which is about 17% higher than the original estimate of about 1.7 million people.

Mr Wong also noted that their total spending is estimated to be about HK$7.5 billion, bringing about HK$4.5 billion in value added - both higher than the Government’s original estimates.

“We would continue to work hard to push the figures higher. We understand the difficulties and challenges that our retail sector has been going through. Economic contribution is important, but it is not the only thing.

“There are also all intangible benefits, like positioning Hong Kong positively in the world. These are very important as well. I do believe that the mega events campaign - actually we started it last year - has been playing a very positive role on this front,” he said.