Hong Kong's "event economy" has flourished in 2025, energizing businesses and tourism with a wave of high-profile activities. A restaurant owner in Kai Tak, Mr. Ho, noted that this year has been the busiest since opening four years ago, with a 30% surge in revenue following concerts and sports events at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park in March.

The city hosted a series of major events, including concerts by stars like Nicholas Tse and Jay Chou, a visit by Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, the 15th National Games, and the Wireless Telecom Group Inc (WTT) tournaments. Hong Kong Legislative Council member and Arts Development Council Chairman Kenneth Fok highlighted how these diverse cultural and sports events boosted tourism and reinforced Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia’s premier destination for major events.

The Hong Kong government’s policy focus on integrating culture, sports, and tourism has been pivotal. The 2024 policy emphasized attracting high-quality events to stimulate retail and hospitality, while 2025 expanded this vision with an "event + tourism" strategy. The results are evident: Kai Tak Sports Park alone hosted over 90 events, selling 1.25 million tickets and generating $191 million in revenue—leading Asia in both metrics.

Tourism data also reflects this success, with 45 million visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, a 12% year-on-year increase, surpassing 2024’s total. Legislative Council member and China Travel Service Chairman Yiu Pak-leung attributed this growth to Hong Kong’s robust infrastructure and globalized talent pool.

The 15th National Games, co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, exemplified regional synergy. Over 16,000 multilingual volunteers facilitated seamless experiences, while high-speed rail connectivity encouraged cross-border tourism, benefiting hospitality and retail sectors. Tourism industry leader Daniel Chui noted that the Games transformed the Greater Bay Area into a distinctive travel brand, promoting multi-destination itineraries.

Kenneth Fok believes the Games’ legacy will endure, fostering future collaborations for international mega-events. Meanwhile, creative local IPs—from Ocean Park’s panda cubs to artist Kasing Lung’s "Labubu" inflatables—have further enriched tourism through cross-sector partnerships.

As Hong Kong continues to refine safety measures and hospitality services, its revitalized image is winning global acclaim, ensuring sustained momentum for its thriving event economy.