Following is a question by the Hon Shiu Ka-fai and a reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (November 4):

Question:

     The Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan proposes to deepen the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism, and explore more routes for city walks. It is learnt that various sectors of society generally recognise that exploring local characteristics, promoting arts and cultural activities and community in-depth tourism can help divert travellers to different communities across Hong Kong, thereby reducing the pressure on core areas while boosting the district economy as well as retail, catering and other consumption activities in the vicinity. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has assessed the effectiveness of "tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong" since its implementation, including whether it can attract travellers to the 18 districts of Hong Kong for tourism; if such an assessment has been conducted, of the details (including visitor flows and local consumption in each district);

(2) whether it has considered setting up additional pedestrian precincts in different suitable districts in the territory and permitting street performances in a planned and orderly manner, including reinstating the pedestrian precinct at Sai Yeung Choi Street South, so as to present various forms of performing arts to travellers through the "Culture + Tourism" approach; and

(3) apart from the existing promotional activities, whether there are plans to strengthen cooperation with relevant trades and businesses to further leverage the unique characteristics of various districts and explore routes for city walks, such as promoting the Temple Street night market, Dried Seafood Street, Ginseng and Bird's Nest Street and Herbal Medicine Street in Sheung Wan, Tai Yuen Street (Toy Street) in Wan Chai, Mong Kok Flower Market, Ladies' Market and Fa Yuen Street, as well as Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market; if so, of the details?

Reply:

     Thank you, President.

     The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) have been working with the trade to actively develop tourism products and experiences with Hong Kong characteristics. We have also seized the opportunities of various mega events and festivals to partner with district merchants in launching offers to attract visitors to spend in the surrounding areas. When promoting tourism projects and district signature activities, we also have to consider the carrying capacity of the relevant districts and attractions, so as to strike a balance among tourism revenue, the actual situation of the districts, and the needs of residents. 

     In response to the question raised by Hon Shiu Ka-fai, having consulted the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and the Home Affairs Department, a consolidated reply is as follows:

(1) In recent years, the tourism projects, mega events, and festivals planned by the Government have spanned over districts of Hong Kong, successfully encouraging visitors and local residents to visit and spend in various districts. Amongst others, the HKTB has actively promoted tourism routes and projects with local characteristics, such as the "Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey", the "Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey", and the "Hong Kong Neighbourhoods” programme covering Old Town Central, Sham Shui Po, and West Kowloon. In addition, we also promote various traditional festivals and district activities to visitors such as the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, and the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree in Tai Po. 

     Large-scale mega events and festivals drive spending in the surrounding areas. For example, the HKTB held its annual flagship event, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival at the Central Harbourfront last week, attracting over 171 000 visits, up more than 5 per cent year-on-year, while sales rose by approximately 8 per cent, and bringing business to nearby bars and restaurants. Some in the food and beverage industry stated that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, both the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the International Lantern Spectacular organised by the HKTB drove business at nearby restaurants up by more than 20 per cent. The upcoming Hong Kong WinterFest, the Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations, and the International Chinese New Year Night Parade are expected to continue benefiting district merchants.

     In addition, as of September 2026, the Kai Tak Sports Park had held 190 sessions of international and local sports, cultural and entertainment events, with the Kai Tak Stadium attracting a cumulative total of more than 2.8 million spectators. Spectators attending major events can make use of the precinct's well-developed transport infrastructure (including more than 10 special bus routes) to travel to different districts across Hong Kong, which diverts mega-event visitors to other communities. Merchants in the precinct and the nearby Kowloon City District have also actively launched ticket stub offers to attract spectators to spend in the district before and after events. Taking the Hong Kong Football Festival 2026 as an example, more than 40 merchants participated in the ticket stub offer programme. During the matches, the Kai Tak Mall recorded nearly 120 000 visits in a single day. A sporting goods store reported an approximately fivefold increase in turnover, while a food and beverage merchant also said its business rose by more than 50 per cent.

(2) As for the proposal to establish pedestrian precincts, the relevant policy bureau advised that, given that pedestrian precincts may affect various local stakeholders and merchants in nearby road networks, the Government must consider the matter carefully. In fact, the Government has been actively promoting the development of arts and culture, encouraging the public to participate in different forms of arts and cultural activities to realise their potential. However, some people have indeed caused nuisance in public places when conducting street performances in the past in terms of noise, environmental hygiene, street management, and public order, etc. Experience also shows that past performances in pedestrian zones generated a large number of complaints. Relevant policy bureaux and departments have handled complaints and concerns in accordance with their respective authorities and the related legislation, so as to reduce the impact of performance activities on residents' daily lives and their use of public space. We therefore hold a very cautious stance regarding the proposal to re-establish pedestrian zones.

(3) The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region also actively encourages the trade to develop tourism routes with local characteristics. In collaborating with the trade and merchants to promote the characteristics of various districts, the HKTB launched the "Taste Hong Kong" Gourmet Guide in January this year, inviting local master chefs to recommend restaurants in the 18 districts and attract visitors to explore local tastes in different districts. The HKTB will also continue to develop and promote more travel itineraries with local characteristics under different themes in collaboration with district merchants. For example, the HKTB launched a new promotional series "Hong Kong Good Take" last month, featuring 50 iconic films and 100 local filming locations, including restaurants and shopping attractions, and partnered with the trade to launch movie-themed guided experiences. In Yau Ma Tei, for example, visitors can first visit the "Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey" to relive scenes from classic police-and-crime films, then walk to the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market and the wet market, enjoying local snacks at the Temple Street Night Market.

     Thank you, President.

Ends/Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:05

NNNN