Hong Kong visitor arrivals jump 22 % in September, topping 40 million year-to-date
Southbound Yacht Travel Scheme Launches with First Five Mainland Vessels Cleared for Hong Kong
Macau Tightens Check-Point Health Screening After Unexplained Pneumonia Death in Russia – Implications for Hong Kong Travellers
Latest News
HKTB invites trade to join China International Travel Mart 2026 in Haikou
On 15 October the Hong Kong Tourism Board opened registration for companies wishing to join the Hong Kong pavilion at China International Travel Mart 2026 (Haikou, 12–14 December). Subsidised exhibition packages aim to help the city promote multi-destination Greater Bay Area products and glean early intelligence on China’s next round of travel-facilitation policies.
Second Guangzhou–Shenzhen High-Speed Railway Eyes Hong Kong Connection Under Three Alignment Options
Planning tenders released on 15 October show three routing scenarios that would let the upcoming Guangzhou-Shenzhen high-speed railway plug into Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis. If realised, the link would integrate three international airports and cut door-to-door times for business travellers across the Greater Bay Area.
Visitor Arrivals Top 4 Million in September as Hong Kong Passes 40 Million-Visitor Mark for 2026
Hong Kong recorded 4.03 million visitor arrivals in September, up 22 percent year-on-year, taking 2026’s cumulative total past 40 million. The rebound, driven by event tourism and short-haul markets, is tightening hotel availability and reinforcing the city’s post-pandemic recovery trajectory.
Financial Secretary departs for Bangkok to position Hong Kong at IMF–World Bank meetings
Financial Secretary Paul Chan flew to Bangkok on 15 October to take part in the IMF–World Bank meetings, where he will promote Hong Kong’s financial-hub role and meet global investors. His mission signals the full resumption of senior-level official travel and offers modest facilitation benefits for executives travelling on accompanying delegations.
Logistics firm black-listed for breaching Hong Kong’s Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme
Wilson Logistics Limited has been barred from hiring under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme for one year after officials found it supplied false staffing data and failed to keep the required 2:1 local-to-imported worker ratio. The rare public ban signals tougher enforcement of Hong Kong’s flagship labour-import programme and warns multinationals to tighten HR compliance.
Hong Kong weighs tougher rules on foreign domestic helper contracts and re-entry bans
A Legislative Council Q&A revealed the Hong Kong government is not planning a statutory probation period for foreign domestic helpers nor changes to employers’ duty to pay return air fares, but it reiterated that helpers with criminal records can be denied re-entry. The update signals closer monitoring of agency fees and visa histories, matters that directly affect households and expatriate packages.
Logistics Firm Barred After Breaching Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme Rules
Wilson Logistics has been barred from submitting labour-import applications for one year after officials found it falsified staffing data and breached local-to-imported worker ratios. The case highlights the Labour Department’s tougher enforcement of Hong Kong’s Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme.
Canada Working Holiday Scheme Pool for Hong Kong Youth Closes on 19 October
The application pool for the 2026 Canada Working Holiday Scheme will close on 19 October, giving Hong Kong youth a final chance this year to secure one-year open work permits. The scheme supports cultural exchange and returns talent with international experience to Hong Kong’s workforce.
Hong Kong lawmakers weigh changes to foreign domestic helper contracts and visa vetting
In a 14 October Legislative Council session, the Hong Kong government defended the current foreign domestic helper visa framework, rejecting proposals for a probation clause and airfare cost-sharing, but confirming strict individual visa vetting and updated agency fee transparency rules. The decision preserves legal stability for households but signals closer scrutiny of dismissals and discrimination.
LegCo Debates Reforms to Foreign Domestic Helper Contract Rules
Legislators questioned the government on possible changes to foreign domestic helper contracts, but officials ruled out introducing probation periods or shifting airfare costs to workers. The debate highlights continuing tensions between employer flexibility and migrant-worker protections.