Hong Kong recorded 26.71 million visitor arrivals in the first six months of 2026, an increase of 13 percent compared with the same period last year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Thursday.

The arrivals included 20.56 million from the Chinese mainland and 6.16 million from abroad, representing year-on-year increases of 16 percent and 5 percent, respectively, the HKTB said in a statement.

“Long-haul markets maintained stable overall performance, with arrivals from France, Canada, Australia and other long-haul markets each recording year-on-year growth of 20 percent or more,” the statement reads.

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For short-haul markets, fuel costs prompted certain airlines to reduce flight capacity, while the depreciation of currencies in these markets against the Hong Kong dollar dampened travel plans, it added.

In June, visitor arrivals in the special administrative region grew by 7 percent year-on-year to 3.72 million, the HKTB data showed.

In the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) travel sector, the 108th Lions International Convention and the three-day LEAP East 2026 technology fair were recently held successfully in Hong Kong.

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“LEAP East has also committed to staging the event exclusively in Hong Kong for the next three years, underscoring the city’s strength as the World’s Meeting Place,” the HKTB said.

It added that more than 100 large-scale MICE events were held in the city during the first half of 2026, with MICE overnight visitor arrivals increasing by 12 percent year-on-year from January to May.

The tourism board said Hong Kong will host a broader array of international conventions and exhibitions in the second half of the year, which are expected to attract more high-value-added overnight visitors and their families.

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HKTB has also launched its new global campaign “Only in Hong Kong” as it continues to stage mega events to encourage visitors to stay longer in the city, injecting greater momentum into its economy.