Speech by SCST at 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting (English only)
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Thank you, Chair, for giving me the floor.
I'd like to begin my presentation by sharing with you how Hong Kong, China faced last year on tourism. In 2025, we welcomed nearly 50 million visitors, the majority of whom coming from the APEC family economies, representing a 12 per cent year-on-year increase. Last year alone, we hosted over 240 mega events, including many held at the Kai Tak Sports Park, our state-of-the-art and new "Home Ground", and a game-changer in our tourism industry.
The results actually reflect our strategic vision of "+ Tourism". At its heart, "+ Tourism" is about bringing together Hong Kong's uniqueness, including our culture and heritage, arts and creativity, natural landscapes, sports and mega events, and weaving them into a richer, deeper journey.
Our subject today – smart technology – is an indispensable force that brings this vision vividly to life.
From digital platforms and big data to artificial intelligence, information technology has transformed travel experiences and allow visitors to travel conveniently with accessible information, change and explore destinations in-depth.
In Hong Kong, this transformation is already underway. During peak travel periods, major attractions now share live waiting times with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, to allow real-time crowd updates on our "Discover Hong Kong" digital platform. Currently, we are developing an AI-powered itinerary-planning feature and collaborating with map service providers to integrate our data into a dedicated Hong Kong travel map. This will empower visitors with tailored information on attractions, events, dining, and offers, while generating personalised itineraries that reflect their interests.
By bringing these capabilities together, visitors can plan their ideal trip in just a few clicks, enjoying an experience, an "Only in Hong Kong" experience, that is convenient and uniquely their own.
Beyond logistical convenience, smart technology multiplies the economic and social value of tourism. Across Hong Kong, destinations are embedding digital elements to create authentic, locally rooted experiences with global appeal.
For instance, our new East Kowloon Cultural Centre brings together artists and tech innovators to incubate new forms of arts tech performance, while the Hong Kong Museum of Art blends heritage with multimedia and AI. Events like Art Basel Hong Kong transforms exhibitions into immersive showcases through AI-generated avatars and interactive installations. Attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland use an animatronic robot to deepen engagement.
Through digital and intelligent technologies, visitors do not merely visit Hong Kong, they experience our city and become connected to it. They stay longer, spend more, and become storytellers who amplify our city's cultural and creative identity.
To ensure the wider community reap the benefits of smart tourism, we are equally committed to empowering our people and strengthening their capabilities. We enable businesses to adapt, innovate, and thrive in this digital era. We have collaborated with Hong Kong's flagship IT (information technology) hub, Cyberport, to connect technology providers with industry practitioners to solve real-world challenges through adopting digital solutions, enhancing productivity, service quality, and global competitiveness.
Let me close with this thought. Tourism does not thrive on technology alone, but also on the warmth of human connection. While AI can personalise journeys and digital tools enhance convenience, they can never replace real local stories and human interactions that truly define travel.
Let us use technology to enrich, rather than replace, the soul of our destinations. Together let us work to ensure every visitor explores our cities deeply, meaningfully, and memorably.
Thank you.
Ends/Saturday, June 27, 2026
Issued at HKT 13:00
Issued at HKT 13:00
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