Record-breaking 1.19 million Filipino tourists flock to Hong Kong in 2024

A record-breaking number of Filipino visitors came to Hong Kong last year, the Tourism Board has said, as it revealed its focus on targeted initiatives to attract visitors with specific interests and boost spending.

The board said on Tuesday that 1.19 million Filipino visitors came to Hong Kong in 2024, a record attributed to the Philippines’ strong economic growth, proximity and the appeal of the city’s theme parks.

Filipinos became the third-largest group of visitors last year, following those from mainland China and Taiwan. The Philippines ranked sixth in 2018, a record year for Hong Kong tourism.

“We welcomed our one millionth visitor [of the year] from the Philippines last November,” said Dane Cheng Ting-yat, the board’s executive director, noting the Philippine economy was doing well.

“People are spending more, and they’re always looking for places to have fun. When they travel, they come with multi-generations. They really like Hong Kong’s amusement parks such as Disneyland.”

The category of visitors underscored a broader recovery of non-mainland visitor arrivals in 2024, which also saw Taiwan and the United States emerging as key source markets.