Hong Kong lawmakers Kenneth Fok Kai-kong (left) and Vincent Cheng Wing-shun (right), along with the tourism sector’s lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung, pose for a photograph while issuing a policy proposal focused on fostering closer ties between sports and tourism sectors on April 5, 2024. (XI TIANQI / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong should team up with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to provide more sports and recreation tourism products, to lure international travelers, three Hong Kong lawmakers suggested on Friday.

In a joint proposal to the Hong Kong SAR government, the three legislators said incorporating more sports elements in tourism is also in line with the city’s “mega event economy” and the significant growth of outdoor sports and leisure activities after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city’s Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports will deliberate the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism at a meeting to be convened next Tuesday. 

Prior to the LegCo meeting, members of the panel Kenneth Fok Kai-kong and Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, along with the tourism sector’s lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung, issued a policy proposal focused on fostering closer ties between sports and tourism sectors.

Cheng cited the ongoing Hong Kong Sevens — a top-tier rugby tournament which draws thousands of spectators from overseas every year — saying its long-standing success proves Hong Kong’s potential in developing sports tourism.

Enhancing collaboration with other cities in the GBA will enable Hong Kong to use facilities in Guangdong province to host more sports events, said Fok

In 2023, the Sevens attracted 75,000 visitors, 40 percent from overseas, and an income of about HK$400 million ($51.1 million).

Yiu said as part of the “mega event economy” strategy, the government is campaigning for more sports events to be held locally. The Kai Tak Sports Park, which is expected to be open within this year, would also be a shot in the arm for hosting major sports competitions.

Therefore, Yiu said he hopes the government can boost the integration of sports and tourism. For instance, travel agencies can sell bundles of sports events’ tickets and travel products, drawing more sports enthusiasts to the city, he said. 

Meanwhile, by fostering deeper cooperation between the sports and tourism sectors, travel service providers can also incorporate local sports recreations, such as biking, hiking and martial arts, into tourists’ itineraries, Yiu added.

As hosting grand sports events requires massive manpower and facilities, Fok, representing the sports sector in the legislature, said Hong Kong should work with other cities in the GBA.

Enhancing collaboration with other cities in the GBA will enable Hong Kong to use facilities in Guangdong province to host more sports events, Fok said. In return, Hong Kong’s connectivity with foreign communities can help more international sports organization establish regional hubs, training centers, rehabilitation centers, education centers and more facilities in the GBA.

The cross-boundary collaboration will lay solid foundations for the long-term development of the GBA’s sports tourism, Fok added.

The National Games in 2025, which will be co-hosted by Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong province, will set a good example for the GBA to co-organize more large-scale sports contests in the future, Fok added.

Cheng urged the government to position sports tourism as a key government policy and establish designated work forces to promote it, as many foreign authorities do.

He also proposed the authorities to review the requirements of the M Mark System — a government subsidy program to support the staging of major sports events in Hong Kong, adding bonus points for applicants if they successfully incorporate tourism elements into the sporting events they are going to organize in the city.

Contact the writer at lindaxi@chinadailyhk.com