ITE Hong Kong survey finds affluent independent travellers will spend more despite geopolitical headwinds

Press materials released on April 8 for the upcoming 40th International Travel Expo (ITE) Hong Kong reveal that high-spending, free-independent travellers (FITs) remain resilient in the face of inflation and global instability. A mid-March poll of 688 previous ITE visitors—most university-educated and frequent flyers—showed 62.5 percent plan to increase their 2026 travel budgets, while only 12.2 percent expect to cut back. Crucially for mobility planners, 42.3 percent said they will avoid conflict-affected regions, suggesting demand will pivot to ‘safe-perception’ destinations reachable non-stop from Hong Kong. Exhibitors from 64 countries are already adjusting offers: several European tourism boards will showcase combined leisure-and-remote-work packages, and Canadian provinces are preparing sessions on the country’s new digital nomad stream targeting Hong Kong professionals who can work remotely for up to six months. From a corporate standpoint the data imply continued pressure on premium-leisure inventory that overlaps with business-class allocations—especially around long weekends. HR teams crafting home-leave and rest-and-relaxation (R&R) benefits for assignees should budget for higher airfares and consider dynamic pricing caps. ITE’s organiser, TKS Exhibition Services, noted that 70 percent of trade buyers in 2025 came from the Greater Bay Area, reinforcing the fair’s role as a B2B sourcing hub for MICE and incentive trips. With space rental held flat since 2019, participation costs remain attractive for relocation providers and destination service companies looking to tap the outbound market. The 2026 edition, scheduled for June 11-14 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, dedicates separate days to trade and public visitors, and will again run ‘business-matching’ speed-dating sessions—useful for HR mobility teams seeking new destination management partners.