How to prevent Hong Kong from becoming just another Asian city

Ken Chu (LLD) is the chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group with businesses in hospitality, leisure, entertainment, sports, wellness and education in China.Hong Kong’s tourism sectors have entered 2026 with renewed momentum. The broader economy has strengthened, expanding by 5.9 per cent in the first quarter, its fastest pace in nearly five years. Visitor arrivals also reached 14.3 million in the first quarter, up 17 per cent year on year.The recent Labour Day “golden week” holiday offered a further boost, with the city receiving more than 1 million mainland visitors. Across the border, travel volumes reached unprecedented levels, with an estimated 1.52 billion cross-regional trips made over five days.These figures point to more than just recovery. They reflect how seamlessly people now move across cities in search of leisure, retail and cultural experiences. As travel becomes easier and more frequent, the boundaries between destinations begin to blur. What was once a choice between distinct cities is increasingly becoming a comparison of interchangeable experiences.