Hong Kong tourist arrivals up 3% in July as bad weather curbs mainland growth
Hong Kong recorded about 4.5 million visitor arrivals in July, up 3 per cent from a year earlier, as major international conventions boosted business travel while bad weather weighed on growth from mainland China, according to the Tourism Board. The board said on Monday that a series of major international meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE), including the 108th Lions…
In July, Hong Kong welcomed approximately 4.5 million visitors, marking a 3% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Tourism Board. The rise in arrivals was attributed to major international conventions and exhibitions, such as the 108th Lions International Convention and the technology exhibition LEAP East, which attracted business travelers.
However, bad weather from mainland China negatively impacted visitor numbers, as mainland arrivals grew by just 3% year on year to around 3.61 million. The board noted that several days of unfavorable weather conditions were the primary reason for the limited growth from mainland tourists, who made up about 80% of the total visitors in July.
The Hong Kong Observatory had described July as "much gloomier and wetter" than usual, citing heavy rainfall associated with low pressure systems, an active southerly wind stream, and the impact of tropical cyclones Maysak and Noul. July saw a total of 790.3 mm of rain, more than double the average for the month. Throughout the first seven months of the year, Hong Kong received a total of 31.22 million visitors, representing an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Mainland arrivals accounted for 24.16 million during this timeframe, up 13% year on year, while non-mainland visitors rose 5% to about 7.05 million.
For long-haul markets, July arrivals surged 17% year on year to 307,200, with new markets increasing by 36% to 69,722. However, short-haul arrivals experienced a decline of 9% to 413,647 during the month and were down 3% over the first seven months. The Tourism Board attributed the decline in short-haul arrivals to rising fuel costs resulting from the Middle Eastern conflict, which led to adjustments in flight capacity and pressure on regional markets.
The board also announced a series of flagship events for the second half of the year, including the Hong Kong Cyclothon, Wine & Dine Festival, Hong Kong Winterfest, New Year countdown celebrations, as well as activities for the Mid-Autumn Festival and Halloween. Furthermore, promotional efforts were planned to encourage visitors to explore different neighborhoods, stay longer, and spend more in the city.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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