Karen Macmillan, director for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific for Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) says Kiwi visitation is up 15% year-on-year to August 2026. Direct to HKG from New Zealand arrivals are still down on pre-Covid but a significant number (harder to determine) now arrive via mainland China, particularly by train from Guangzhou.
Macmillan says the trade has opportunities to sell the destination around events such as Winter Fest and Wine and Dine Festival over the next few months and the Hong Kong Rugby 7s at the Kai Tak Stadium from 9-11 April.
Hong Kong’s summer horse racing season is on now and runs through to July next year. Macmillan says Wednesday racing at Happy Valley is particularly popular with international visitors and is often included in incentive and other group travel out of New Zealand and Australia.
She also emphasises new areas that repeat visitors will find – such as the West Kowloon Cultural District.
HKTB was a headline partner at Cruise360 in Sydney last week and Macmillan points out the destination has two cruise terminals operating – Ocean and Kai Tak.
