As a diverse and inclusive city, Hong Kong offers a wealth of highlights and possibilities, with the Muslim economy being one of the new opportunities Hong Kong is actively seizing. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, recently mentioned in an exclusive interview with Wen Wei Po that in the future, the government will work with the tourism industry to refine the creation of a Muslim-friendly environment, further enhancing the quantity and quality of Muslim-friendly facilities.
For example, in terms of dining, more restaurants will obtain halal certification in the future. While halal food in the past mostly featured Southeast Asian flavors, there could be considerations to add more options catering to Middle Eastern tastes.
Last year, Chief Executive John Lee proposed in his Policy Address the goal of creating a more Muslim-friendly environment. Through the joint efforts of the government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), and industry stakeholders, Hong Kong has for the first time ranked among the top three in the Muslim-friendly travel destination rankings (non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation members) this year.
Law described this achievement as the result of collective efforts to turn a vision into reality, calling it "a great encouragement," and stated that more restaurants will obtain halal certification in the future.
Currently, there are about 190 halal-certified restaurants in Hong Kong. Law mentioned that recent conversations with Muslim tourists from different regions revealed that the industry could consider adding halal food options tailored to Middle Eastern visitors' tastes.
Tourism preferences vary across markets, such as family trips, business travel, and high-end experiences. Law noted that for business travelers, Hong Kong is a place where they can "attend formal meetings in the morning and go hiking or enjoy water sports in Sai Kung in the afternoon." For high-spending tourists, Hong Kong also offers horse racing tourism, with annual international races and major race days attracting many international visitors interested in horse racing and breeding.
Enhancing cultural, sports, and tourism infrastructure
In recent years, the SAR government has also improved many cultural, sports, and tourism infrastructure projects. For instance, the Kai Tak Sports Park officially opened in March this year and has already hosted multiple concerts and sports events. Additionally, the landing facility south of the M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District is expected to be completed and operational in the fourth quarter of this year. The government has also launched the "Tourism is Everywhere in Hong Kong" initiative, developing nine tourist hotspots in Hong Kong, further enriching the city's diverse tourism offerings.
The HKTB predicts that the city will welcome 49 million visitors this year. Law expressed that Hong Kong's tourism industry is all-encompassing, capable of meeting the diverse needs of tourists, and she is confident in the future development of Hong Kong's tourism sector.
The art of making friends
In addition to promoting "Tourism is Everywhere in Hong Kong," the SAR government has increased cultural exchanges with "old and new friends" from different regions in recent years, deepening international cooperation through cultural, sports, and tourism initiatives. Last year, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Asia+ Festival invited art troupes from Middle Eastern countries to perform in Hong Kong. The "Sound River" performance at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival also showcased the cultures, customs, and artistic expressions of BRI countries and regions.
Law mentioned that her first overseas visit after assuming the role of Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism was to the Middle East, where she explored new collaborations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. Beyond establishing contacts, she discovered a strong interest in Hong Kong's performing and visual arts among local counterparts.
"They have also invited us to organize Hong Kong delegations or art troupes to perform," Law said, noting that venues like the Dubai Opera and Abu Dhabi theaters welcome international art troupes, making it feasible for Hong Kong's theater and performance groups to consider touring there.
She also cited long-standing artistic exchanges between Hong Kong and France as an example. The West Kowloon Cultural District collaborated with the Musée Picasso in Paris to host a large-scale exhibition featuring over 60 Picasso paintings. Additionally, the Hong Kong Palace Museum held exhibitions showcasing life in the Palace of Versailles and the Forbidden City, while the Hong Kong Museum of Art displayed works by French Impressionist masters.
"Putting ourselves in others' shoes" to build tourist destination
Having served as the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism for about seven months, Law shared in the interview that she sees herself not only as a government official but also as an audience member and a tourist. Therefore, when promoting policies or activities, she always considers the user's perspective: "If I don't find it appealing, how can I expect visitors or Hong Kong residents to participate?"
Regarding her vision for future work, Law emphasized leveraging the preferential policies and measures granted to Hong Kong by the central government to advance toward the goal of becoming an international hub for cultural and artistic exchanges. For instance, in tourism, the central government has reinstated the "multiple-entry permit" policy and increased the duty-free allowance for visitors. In culture, the nation is eager to facilitate collaborations between various art troupes, museums, and Hong Kong.
She also encouraged the cultural, sports, and tourism industries to continue innovating. For example, in sports, she highlighted the importance of utilizing resources to promote both grassroots participation and elite development.
Law cited recent collaborations between Hong Kong and mainland provinces, such as the sports cooperation memorandum signed with Heilongjiang, which allows for shared training facilities and coaching resources.
In culture, Law noted that while promoting and preserving Chinese culture, it is also important to embrace foreign cultural influences to enrich both Chinese culture and Hong Kong's local culture. In sports, she emphasized that everyone can participate, whether as athletes or spectators.
"Everyone needs to develop—this is healthy competition. Business isn't limited to one place... What's important is for Hong Kong to focus on being the best version of itself."
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Kang Jing; English Editor: Darius)
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