Hong Kong is intensifying efforts to attract affluent tourists, especially from Muslim-majority countries and Southeast Asia, by enhancing premium travel offerings, bespoke services, and concierge experiences, according to the city’s tourism chief.
In a recent Policy Address, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui explained that the region will partner with various sectors to appeal to high-spending visitors.
Between January and August 2025, visitor numbers from the Middle East surged by about 40 percent year-on-year, reaching roughly 54,000 people. These travellers spent an average of HK$10,400 (≈ US$1,338), almost double the city’s typical visitor spend of HK$5,400.
Southeast Asia has emerged as a major growth market, trailing only mainland China as a source of tourists, driven by visitors from Muslim-majority nations. Malaysia and Indonesia saw sharp increases in arrivals—Malaysia rising about 50 percent to 405,508 visitors, Indonesia up roughly 43 percent to 366,973. Meanwhile, 16,498 visitors came from the six GCC countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Law noted that Hong Kong now ranks third among Muslim-friendly destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) and was named “Most Promising Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year.”
She pointed out that the number of certified halal restaurants nearly doubled from 100 in early 2024 to around 190 by August 2025.
To meet the needs of luxury travellers, plans are underway to create roughly 600 new yacht berths in major waterfront locations, plus over 500 additional berths via the Airport Authority’s “Skytopia” project with special facilities for superyachts.
Transport and logistics policies are also targeting new air routes to markets deemed high potential, including South Asia, Middle East, and South America.
Hong Kong Courts High-Spending Muslim Visitors with Luxury, Halal-Friendly Push
