A study released by Visa reveals that over 90% of overseas visitors to Hong Kong have experienced or plan to experience local dining culture, underscoring the city's solid reputation as a culinary capital. At the same time, major events are emerging as a key driver of tourism growth in Hong Kong, with 45% of overseas visitors expressing interest in the city's festivals and large-scale events. 83% of overseas tourists stayed between one and six nights during their most recent visit, with per capita spending reaching HK$28,817.
According to Visa, among overseas visitors to Hong Kong, 83% opt to stay for one to six nights. Of these, 47% stay for one to three nights, while 37% stay for four to six nights. Only 6% are day-trippers. Credit cards are the most commonly used payment method among overseas visitors (47%), followed by Hong Kong dollar cash (39%) and e-wallets (29%). Additionally, spending by credit card users is 20% higher than the average for inbound tourists.
The study indicates that 57% of overseas visitors have sampled Hong Kong's cuisine, with another 34% expressing interest in doing so on their next trip. Combined, 91% of tourists have either experienced or plan to experience local dining culture, highlighting that culinary offerings remain one of Hong Kong's most attractive tourism elements. A similar trend is observed for arts and cultural experiences, with 46% of visitors showing interest and 41% having actually participated.
Visa noted that the next clear growth opportunity lies in converting cultural interest into bookable, time-sensitive activity experiences. Festivals and major events represent the area with the greatest potential for growth. There is a noticeable gap between the percentage of respondents who are "interested in participating" (45%) and those who have "actually participated" (34%), indicating room for development in the tourism sector.
Currently, inbound tourists generally stay in Hong Kong for one to six nights. This behavioral trend helps transform cultural interest into a concrete motivation to visit. Such high-spending visitors generate considerable economic benefits per trip, making them an ideal target group for related promotional efforts.
Caroline Lui, Managing Director for Hong Kong and Macau at Visa, stated that Hong Kong continues to attract visitors from around the world with its world-class major events, diverse food culture, and a variety of memorable experiences. Additionally, many tourists travel specifically to Hong Kong for concerts, sporting events, and various festive activities. Seamless and secure payment methods are key to unlocking this economic potential.