Hong Kong is off to a robust start in 2026 for inbound tourism, with visitor arrivals reaching 7.23 million so far, a 9.6 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted the positive momentum, noting expectations of 1.43 million mainland Chinese visitors during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, representing a six per cent rise from the previous year.

Chan attributed the anticipated surge to a lineup of mega-events scheduled throughout the holiday period, which are drawing crowds from across the border.

In his weekly blog post published on Sunday, Chan described the city's festive spirit, writing, “Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year atmosphere is rich and vibrant, blending traditional and modern elements.”

He further emphasized the appeal of the celebrations, stating, “There are also many major events and performances, giving citizens a wide range of exciting choices and attracting many tourists to experience the festivities.”

The strong visitor numbers underscore Hong Kong's continued recovery and growth in the tourism sector, bolstered by its unique cultural offerings during key holidays like Lunar New Year.