As a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture and delectable cuisine, Hong Kong has long been a magnet for tourists from around the world. The city is now opening its arms to tourists from every corner of the world.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government recently launched a tourism blueprint to enhance the city’s status as a world-class tourism hub and an international center where East meets West. In the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, the government introduced four core strategies, which encompass promoting tourism on culture, sports, ecology and mega events, tapping into diverse source markets, promoting smart tourism and attracting more young professionals to work in the tourism industry. The government intends to increase the economic value of local tourism to HK$120 billion ($15.4 billion), from HK$75.3 billion in 2023, within five years, accounting for around 5 percent of local GDP, and increase those employed in the industry to 210,000 in 2028 from 145,600 in 2023. The blueprint also highlights strategies to attract more international cruise ships to stop off in Hong Kong. All these initiatives are expected to underpin Hong Kong as a premier tourism destination, achieving the vision that “tourism is everywhere in the city”.

I studied tax-free shopping in Hong Kong closely and submitted a research report in early 2024 recommending an increase in the tax-free limit for Chinese mainland tourists shopping in the city. Fortunately, the central government accepted the idea and raised the limit from 5,000 yuan ($682) to 12,000 yuan per person, and hopefully the limit will be increased again in the near future. With the recent resumption of multientry permits for Shenzhen residents visiting Hong Kong, along with an increase in the tax-free limit and expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme to cover 59 cities across the country by the central government, more mainland visitors have traveled to Hong Kong in the past several months, benefiting the local economy. All these initiatives have injected much-needed vitality to the local tourism, retail and dining industries. Based on Hong Kong’s Immigration Department figures, more than 657,000 mainland visitors traveled to Hong Kong from Dec 23-29. Catering and some retail sectors recorded business growth compared with the period in 2023. There are mounting calls for the central government to consider expanding multientry permits to residents in more cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for traveling to Hong Kong. The SAR government and related sectors can make good use of the central government’s policies to promote all-around development of the tourism industry.

Hong Kong has been welcoming tourists from around the world. It can leverage the central government’s policies to bolster its tourism. The latest blueprint has set the scene for promising development in tourism in the coming years. As the tourism industry is a cornerstone of economic prosperity, Hong Kong should elevate its position as a world-class premier tourism destination, wooing more tourists and offering them unique and exceptional travel experiences

Also, Hong Kong can roll out more world-class sports and cultural tourism events for global travelers to enhance its status as a premier travel destination and elevate its international exposure. Under the blueprint, the government has highlighted that Hong Kong possesses diverse tourism resources. Hong Kong can speed up fostering sports tourism with the imminent opening of the Kai Tai Sports Park in the first half of this year by hosting more large-scale sports events. Over the past three decades, Hong Kong has hosted the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, along with other signature events, including LIV Golf Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tennis Open. These events have lured numerous overseas tourists and sports fans to Hong Kong, bringing enormous economic benefits. The Hong Kong Sevens generated about HK$320 million in economic revenue in the city in 2024. At the same time, Hong Kong can stage more world-class arts and culture exhibitions, such as Art Basel, to enrich the local cultural tapestry. Horse racing is also a sought-after event for global tourists, creating hype and momentum in the local tourism industry. Based on the government figures, the number of tourist arrivals was expected to reach over 45 million in 2024, as compared with about 34 million in 2023. From January to November, over 40.2 million tourists visited Hong Kong, about 77 percent of whom were from the mainland, followed by Southeast and South Asian nations, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America and other countries.

Hong Kong’s tourism industry plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and creating jobs. Tourism is one of the traditional pillars of the economy; visitors can enhance the catering, retail, entertainment and hospitality sectors. The government and related business sectors should attach great importance to the travel experience of visitors and enhance the quality of services and hospitality. All related sectors should seize the tremendous opportunities available to bolster their businesses. Based on the government’s figures, every 1.5 million tourists translates into 0.1 percentage point of GDP growth for Hong Kong. In 2023, the tourism industry accounted for 2.6 percent of GDP. Over 145,600 workers were employed in the tourism industry, accounting for 3.9 percent of total employment.

Furthermore, Hong Kong can attract more overnight visitors and high-spending tourists, striving to become the “southern gateway” for these travelers to visit the mainland. Under the blueprint, the government will explore more markets, including the Middle East and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Tourism authorities should try to attract more overseas visitors and high-end tourists and encourage them to make repeat visits. High-end tourists love bespoke travel experiences as they enjoy accommodation in star-rated hotels, and splurge on shopping and dining. They can also travel to Hong Kong as the first stop and then to various cities in Guangdong on their multidestination journeys. Currently, overseas tourists who join group tours to Hong Kong can enter cities in Guangdong under the 144-hour visa-exemption policy. The central government had earlier expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending the time period for foreign visitors from 54 countries to visit cities in 24 provinces up to 10 days from six days. Based on the government’s figures, about 49 percent of 40.2 million visitors stayed overnight in Hong Kong from January to November 2024, and each visitor stayed 3.2 nights and spent about HK$5,500 on average, compared with spending of HK$1,200 by same-day visitors.

In addition, Hong Kong needs to attract more young professionals to join the tourism industry. In the blueprint, the personnel shortage in the industry is estimated to be around 9,000 to 14,000 in the coming five years. The industry needs the entry of young talent to support its long-term growth. The government and tertiary institutions can collaborate to provide a top-notch hotel and tourism-related curriculum to nurture more high-caliber young professionals, such as management of travel businesses and tour guides. More career expos and seminars can be organized to enhance young aspirants’ understanding of career prospects in the industry. It is paramount to cultivate their knowledge in diverse tourism areas, such as local culture, and nourish cross-cultural communication skills.

Moreover, the government can attract cruise visitors from around the world to visit Hong Kong, underpinning the city’s role as a regional cruise hub. In May, the central government initiated the policy of allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships along the country’s coastline. Under the initiative, international cruise tourists can visit Hong Kong before or after their voyages on the mainland. At the same time, the government can encourage more global cruise companies to include Hong Kong in their travel itineraries. Based on government statistics, 150 ships from 30 cruise companies visited Hong Kong in 2024. The number of nonlocal cruise passengers increased to about 330,000 in 2024 from around 220,000 in 2023.

Hong Kong has been welcoming tourists from around the world. It can leverage the central government’s policies to bolster its tourism. The latest blueprint has set the scene for promising development in tourism in the coming years. As the tourism industry is a cornerstone of economic prosperity, Hong Kong should elevate its position as a world-class premier tourism destination, wooing more tourists and offering them unique and exceptional travel experiences.

The author is a member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and founder and chairman of the One Country Two Systems Youth Forum.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.