Hong Kong is set to welcome the peak travel season for Christmas and the New Year. Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote in his blog yesterday (Dec. 14) that the number of visitors to Hong Kong in the first 11 months of this year has already exceeded 45 million, surpassing last year's annual total.
Also, in the first three months of the current horse racing season, the number of visitors to the racecourses has already reached half of last season's total. Meanwhile, the annual international horse racing event, the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, took place yesterday at the Sha Tin Racecourse. The stands were packed, attracting not only local racing enthusiasts but also many mainland Chinese tourists, including both individual travelers and tour groups.
“Thanks to the joint efforts of the government and the industry, the number of visitors in the first 11 months of this year exceeded 45 million, representing a 12% year-on-year increase. Among them, over 23% were non-mainland visitors, totaling 10.77 million, a 16% rise from the previous year," Chan noted. According to him, the increase in visitors has also supported the retail and catering sectors.
He further pointed out that the continuous upgrading and transformation of the tourism industry, along with enhanced infrastructure, have yielded remarkable results. For example, at the recent 2025 World Travel Awards, Hong Kong International Airport won the title of the world's leading airport for customer experience. Additionally, according to statistics from an international market research firm, Hong Kong ranks second globally in terms of international visitor arrivals.
Chan emphasized that Hong Kong's unique strengths—its blend of Eastern and Western cultures, vibrant atmosphere, proximity between urban and rural areas, diverse and affordable world-class cuisine, and excellent public safety—are gaining increasing recognition.
Horse racing, people flocking
The SAR government is actively promoting various tourism products. Among them, Hong Kong's horse racing culture has a long history. In response to the "racecourse tourism" initiative proposed in last year's Policy Address, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has invested over HK$10 billion to revitalize the Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses, introducing upgraded dining and entertainment facilities at both venues. It will invest an additional HK$4 billion in the next phase to further enhance the racecourses, transforming them into tourism destinations.
Last season (2024/25), the HKJC welcomed approximately 196,000 visitors to the racecourses. In the current season, which began in September, visitor numbers have already reached half of last season's total in just three months, demonstrating the strong growth trend of racecourse tourism.
Yesterday's LONGINES Hong Kong International Races not only featured top-class horses from around the world competing against local elite contenders but also combined sports and entertainment elements. The HKJC once again invited international Korean superstar RAIN as the opening performance guest, kicking off the exciting race day. Multiple races took place, attracting large crowds of local racing fans and tourists.
Liu, a visitor from Beijing and a seasoned racing enthusiast, told Wen Wei Po that he had visited Hong Kong multiple times to watch horse racing and made this trip specifically for the event. He noted that the speed and excitement of horse racing are magnetic, drawing him back repeatedly. He also praised Hong Kong's large-scale horse racing events, which also include performances by well-known singers and fireworks displays, offering a one-stop entertainment experience that is ideal for tourists.
Lin from Taiwan admitted she knew nothing about horse racing but was driven by curiosity to include a visit to the races in her three-day, two-night Hong Kong trip. According to her, witnessing the horses galloping firsthand, experiencing the electrifying atmosphere with its drumbeats and cheers, enjoying local delicacies, and taking in the stunning scenery provided "a perfect conclusion" to her Hong Kong journey.
In addition to individual travelers, a tour group of around 40 people from Jiangmen, Guangdong, also attended the event. This inbound tour group made a day trip specifically to watch the races, spending three hours at the racecourse. Wang, a member of the tour group, visited a racecourse for the first time and remarked, "The experience here is completely different and so exhilarating!" She also took photos with the life-size mechanical horse at the HKJC's new landmark, Genso, noting that the sounds and expressions of the mechanical horse were incredibly lifelike.
13,300 spectators amid surge in tourism
Driven by the momentum of racing tourism, the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races attracted 13,300 spectators, setting a new record for the event's history and breaking the single-day attendance record for a race day. In terms of betting turnover, yesterday's 10 races generated over HK$1.66 billion, with the commingled pool turnover reaching nearly HK$480 million, also setting a new record for a 10-race day.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, expressed immense pride in witnessing world-class racing at Sha Tin. He emphasized that, with the support of overseas and local horse owners, trainers, and jockeys, the Club has showcased Hong Kong's brilliance on the international stage.
With yesterday's record-breaking spectator attendance, the 2025/26 racing season has already surpassed 110,000 cumulative spectators in just three months since its opening. In comparison, it took half a year in the previous season to reach the 100,000-spectator milestone, highlighting the strong appeal of racing tourism.
It is anticipated that the total spectator attendance for the current season may challenge the figure of over 195,700 recorded in the last season.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Wu Jianyi; English Editor: Darius)
Related News:
HK Christmas 2025: Light up your festival season with 5 dazzling trees
Comment