Hong Kong will add more technological elements to its tourism offerings and build more spots that showcase the city’s scenic coastal areas, officials said on Wednesday.
During a Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui briefed legislators on recent efforts to boost tourism with technology.
She noted that many major attractions, including Ocean Park, Disneyland Resort and two museums in the West Kowloon Cultural District, have already adopted technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI) and QR codes to provide interactive and immersive experiences for visitors.
READ MORE: Hong Kong tourism strives to grow with new strategies
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is developing a real-time map that will gather tourism-related information across the city and give tailor-made suggestions based on users’ preferences.
Law said she recognizes the significance of big data related to tourists, saying the HKTB will enhance market analysis and discuss pilot programs with payment platforms, travel websites, and service providers, to support the industry in creating products that meet visitors’ needs.
The tourism chief also revealed that the authorities have made initial contact with travel websites and platforms to discuss the feasibility of sharing relevant data under commercial confidentiality with the government or the tourism board.
Having such information can help the government make better decisions in organizing events and guiding tourists, said Law.
At the same meeting, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said the “Round-the-Island Trail” — a 60-kilometer trail on Hong Kong Island that connects existing waterfront promenades and coastal walking trails — is 85 percent complete, and should be finished by the end of 2031, when responding to an inquiry by lawmaker Benson Luk Hon-man on developing shoreline tourism resources.
On the Kowloon Peninsula, the government is working on connecting different sections of coastal areas to build a 21-km waterfront promenade stretching from Cheung Sha Wan to Lei Yue Mun. About 65 percent of the route has been connected at present, Linn said, eyeing nearly-80-percent completion by the end of 2028.
The authorities are also improving facilities at venues along Victoria Harbour, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai and North Point. More vending facilities and food stalls will be introduced in such areas to attract visitors, noted Linn.
READ MORE: John Lee pledges to boost Hong Kong tourism appeal
The former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier will be redeveloped into a character-filled space for hosting various activities, and opened in the first quarter of 2026. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is also conducting studies on using the topside development of the Exhibition Centre MTR station in Wan Chai.
Both projects will introduce substantial dining, retail, and entertainment facilities along the waterfront, Linn added.
Luk suggested that the authority learn from Singapore and increase dining facilities around coastal areas, and fellow lawmaker Tommy Cheung Yu-yan suggested opening up the waterfront areas’ catering services to self‑employed or small-and-middle-sized businesses.
Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com
