According to the latest forecast from the Wisers Tourism Index, the overall number of inbound tourists to Hong Kong in September may see a downward trend, mainly due to the end of the summer vacation.
However, “Physical Activity” have also had a positive impact on the number of inbound tourists. Hong Kong athletes achieved two gold and two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and major shopping malls have responded by broadcasting the Olympic events. Consequently, discussions about “Physical Activity” in Hong Kong on mainland OTA media platforms have increased.
Additionally, Hong Kong’s rich marine resources and Ocean Park’s water park have become highlights for attracting visitors. Tourists who love water activities have shared their experiences of kayaking, surfing, and other water sports in the waters around Hong Kong, describing it as a “very nice” unique journey. At the same time, the water park at Ocean Park has received high praise, with visitors enjoying various attractions like surfing and the colorful sky ladder. These positive experiences undoubtedly support the forecast for tourist numbers in September.
With the achievements of Hong Kong athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the upcoming Policy Address to be announced in October is expected to increase efforts to promote sports development. Over the past year, the Hong Kong government has been keen on developing the event economy, with several major sports events held in Hong Kong, such as the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon and the Hong Kong Sevens 2024. In addition to promoting a sports culture and optimizing athlete funding mechanisms, the government should also actively integrate “sports + tourism.” Various sectors could consider launching commercial activities related to sports events, peripheral products, and sports goods, which could stimulate consumption in the sports industry while also attracting tourists. Can the development of the sports economy simultaneously open new directions for the tourism industry? We shall see.
