Published on
November 16, 2025
The staging of the 15th National Games, recognized formally as China’s premier multi-sport event, has been observed to coincide with a significant surge in event-driven business and cultural tourism throughout Hong Kong. Visitors have been seen flocking to the Special Administrative Region in substantial numbers, drawn by the excitement of the competitions and the vibrant atmosphere of sports enthusiasm that has enveloped the area. This monumental event is being co-hosted across three pivotal engines within the Greater Bay Area city cluster in south China: Guangdong Province and the neighboring Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao. This cooperative framework is establishing a noteworthy precedent for regional collaboration and shared prosperity.
Setting the Stage: A Historic Co-Hosting Initiative
The decision for the 15th edition of the National Games to be co-hosted across the triad of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, and Macao broke new ground in the history of the event. This collective stewardship was undertaken to highlight the deepening ties and cooperative mechanisms established within the Greater Bay Area, a region increasingly regarded as a unified economic and social entity. By utilizing the distinct logistical and cultural strengths of each location, a comprehensive and diverse platform was constructed for both competitive excellence and mass engagement. The logistical complexity involved in managing 34 competitive sports and the parallel mass participation program spanning three jurisdictions has been successfully managed, demonstrating the high level of coordination achieved among the respective governments and organizing committees.
The Economic Jolt: Quantifying the Tourism Surge
The economic stimulus provided by the Games has become a primary focus for analysis. Conservative estimates released by the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong indicate that the event is anticipated to attract in excess of 100,000 tourist visits to the region. This substantial influx of visitors is directly responsible for a pronounced surge in consumer spending across various key sectors, notably catering, retail, and accommodation. The timing of this boom is particularly remarkable. An unprecedented surge in the popularity of Hong Kong’s tourism sector has been experienced during the month of November, a period not traditionally recognized as a peak tourism season. This deviation from historical trends strongly underscores the power of large-scale, prestigious events to drive significant economic activity during shoulder or off-peak periods.
Beyond the Stadium: The Flourishing of Cultural Tourism
The extraordinary tourism heat generated is understood to stem not exclusively from the quality of the spectacular sports competitions themselves. Equally critical to the success of the boom has been the excellent hospitality and the memorable cultural experiences extended to guests visiting Hong Kong. The combination of world-class sporting events with the city’s unique cultural tapestry creates a compelling proposition for visitors, resulting in the phenomenon accurately described as cultural tourism. This includes the exploration of local heritage sites, gastronomic adventures, and exposure to the city’s contemporary arts and urban lifestyle.
Uniting the Region: Integration and ‘One Country, Two Systems’
The co-hosting of the 15th National Games is considered to carry major significance for Hong Kong, extending far beyond immediate economic benefits. A key long-term implication involves the deepening of regional integration across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the continued successful practice of the principle of One Country, Two Systems. The event provides a crucial platform for promoting solidarity and strengthening community unity, as was highlighted by Stanley Ng Chau-pei, President of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. Participation in the event, including the offering of volunteer services and the arrangement of workers to attend competitions, is seen as contributing positively to driving social development.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Confidence in Future Growth
The overwhelming consensus among key industry and political figures reinforces the narrative of sustained confidence in Hong Kong’s economic trajectory. It was emphatically stated by Yang Shih-hsin, General Manager of the culture, sports and tourism integration innovation center of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd., that the Games had brought tremendous benefits to Hong Kong’s overall tourism sector. Moreover, the event was expected to boost the entire tourism industry and would further promote the future development of the Greater Bay Area, serving as a powerful accelerator for cross-regional growth strategies.
A Platform for Global Appeal and Future Cooperation
The successful execution of the 15th National Games has opened up new avenues for cooperation that are expected to benefit the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the years ahead, accelerating the momentum of regional integration. The Games are viewed not as an end point but as an exceptional starting mechanism for deeper collaboration. Irons Sze Wing-wai, a member of the CPPCC National Committee Standing Committee, expressed a strong belief that enormous potential for cooperation exists within the Greater Bay Area across multiple domains. These areas of future focus are understood to include economic growth initiatives, the expansion of professional services, and enhanced coordination in matters of social governance.
