Budget 2025: Hong Kong Tourism Board to receive funds to boost local art and culture development

The government will inject HK$1.235 billion into the Hong Kong Tourism Board to promote a series of distinctive tourism products, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced in the budget speech on Wednesday.

The Board signed a three-year partnership agreement with international art fair Art Basel to establish immersive experience zones of Hong Kong culture at all four of their shows around the world, strengthening Hong Kong's connection with the global art scene, said Chan.

Hundreds of thousands attended Art Basel last year in Europe, the US and Hong Kong. 

“Art Basel will attract foreign tourists or celebrities, which will bring economic benefit to Hong Kong,” said Kwok Wai-keung, 46, a member of the Legislative Council and Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions.

“I am pretty surprised that the Hong Kong government would put so much support for cultural activities, such as holding Art Basel and developing different types of tourism,” said Carmen Chan, 33, a Canadian tourist. 

“But I am glad because these activities can help us get to know Hong Kong better, especially to allow my daughter to be exposed to a more diverse culture,” Carmen Chan said. 

Kwok said that Hong Kong needs to improve technology for tourists. 

“Hong Kong does not have a special app to facilitate tourists and locals to search for related tourism, such as  ‘dianping.com’ [a public review app] from the mainland,” Kwok said. “So Hong Kong needs to work harder to create a platform for visitors to see comprehensive feedback from attractions and restaurants.”

“The distinctive tourism projects that the government aims to promote in 2025, including panda, horse-racing and eco‑tourism, must incorporate local cultures that are difficult for other regions to replicate, in order to attract more tourists effectively,” Kwok said.

Some have criticised the West Kowloon Cultural District, which is designed to be a tourist hub with the M+ and Palace museums, for operating under a deficit. Last year it reported a loss of HK$140 million.

“The government needs to provide more transparency on the money spent so that we can see whether such high investment is paying off,” Kwok said.