It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Saudi Arabia. What is the purpose of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s visit to Riyadh today?
We are truly delighted to be in Riyadh today for the Hong Kong Tourism Board Roadshow. This special industry gathering brings together leading DMCs, premium hotels, attractions, and travel experts from Hong Kong to meet with our esteemed industry partners here in Saudi Arabia. Our purpose is to strengthen these valued relationships, share the latest updates from Hong Kong, and explore new opportunities for collaboration. Saudi Arabia is a market of great importance to us, and this roadshow is a clear reflection of our commitment to deepening ties and building long-term partnerships with the Kingdom’s vibrant travel trade and tourism community.
Why is Saudi Arabia such an important market for Hong Kong?
The GCC, and especially Saudi Arabia—which is one of our three key strategic markets—is among our most important growth regions. Saudi travellers are known for their strong appetite for premium, family-friendly, and culturally rich experiences in Asia—all of which Hong Kong can deliver excellently. In fact, Hong Kong saw a 69% increase in arrivals from GCC countries last year, reflecting the region’s growing interest in our destination. Saudi Arabia’s young, dynamic population and the Kingdom’s emphasis on global connectivity through Vision 2030 also make it a natural partner for Hong Kong as we strengthen people-to-people, cultural, sports, tourism, and business ties.
What is the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s strategy for engaging Saudi travellers?
We recently appointed AVIAREPS as our dedicated Marketing & PR representative in the region, with a base in Dubai and a dedicated presence in Riyadh, Jeddah, and across the GCC. This reflects our long-term commitment to the market. Our strategy is built around three core priorities: delivering personalised campaigns tailored to Saudi Arabia, promoting Hong Kong’s expanding ecosystem of halal-certified hotels and restaurants to strengthen its position as a a leading Muslim-friendly destination; and highlighting the city’s wealth of experiential travel offerings, ranging from Michelin-starred dining and luxury shopping to world-class theme parks, cultural heritage attractions, and major sporting and adrenaline-filled events.
How is Hong Kong catering to Muslim and halal-conscious travellers from the Gulf?
This is one of our top priorities. Today, Hong Kong offers more than 60 hotels, and 190 restaurants certified or recognised by CrescentRating. Just this year, Hong Kong was ranked third among non-OIC destinations in the Global Muslim Travel Index and was named the “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year.” This recognition validates our efforts, but more importantly, it gives GCC travellers peace of mind that Hong Kong can meet and exceed their cultural and dietary needs— with offerings that range from halal dining to Muslim-friendly facilities and family-oriented services, ideally suited for Saudi visitors.
Could you give examples of hotels in Hong Kong that specifically cater to GCC travellers?
Yes, several hotels in Hong Kong have gone above and beyond to cater specifically to Saudi and GCC travellers. The Mira Hong Kong and Kowloon Shangri-La, for instance, both hold 5-Crescent Ratings and feature halal-certified kitchens, Muslim-friendly facilities, and special arrangements during Ramadan, Eid-al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Regal Airport Hotel, conveniently located by the airport, is particularly well suited for transit travellers and offers halal-certified dining. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel is especially popular with families thanks to its beachfront setting and themed children’s rooms. These hotels, among many others, are strong examples of how Hong Kong is adapting to the needs of Saudi visitors while maintaining its hallmark of authentic Asian hospitality.
Sports tourism is now a key pillar of Hong Kong’s tourism strategy. What does the recent hosting of the Saudi Super Cup mean for your tourism strategy?
Hosting the Saudi Super Cup in August was historic—it was the first time the championship took place in Asia, right here in Hong Kong. This event, alongside the opening of the Cristiano Ronaldo CR7® LIFE Museum, is a testament to our ambition to be a global hub for sports tourism. For Saudi and GCC visitors, it created a unique opportunity to watch their favourite teams and players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, while also enjoying Hong Kong’s attractions in a festive atmosphere. It helped deepen cultural ties, boost visitor numbers from the Gulf, and position Hong Kong as a leading destination for sports, leisure, and tourism. Building on the tremendous success of this year’s tournament, we would be honoured to host the next edition of the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong.
Beyond sports events and tailored hospitality, what family experiences does Hong Kong offer Saudi travellers?
Family travel is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia and GCC tourism, and Hong Kong excels in this area. Our theme parks, including Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland, are world-class. This summer we celebrated the first birthday of our panda twins, Jia Jia and De De, with a citywide festival of panda-themed activities—from special events at Ocean Park to panda installations across the city and many more. Families from Saudi Arabia particularly enjoyed these celebrations, as well as Hong Kong’s shopping sprees, halal dining, and cooler climate. It’s a great example of how Hong Kong combines entertainment, education, and cultural discovery in a way that resonates with Saudi families and the wider audience.
With so many destinations competing for Saudi travellers, how does Hong Kong stand out?
Every destination is unique, but what truly sets Hong Kong apart is its East-meets-West culture, world-class tourism infrastructure, and diverse experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Few destinations can offer halal-certified Michelin dining, Authentic luxury shopping, vibrant cultural festivals, thrilling theme parks, and iconic attractions—all within one city that has excelled in Muslim-friendly travel and developed deep cultural understanding in this regard. Combined with expanding air connectivity—through direct flights from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—Hong Kong is positioned as an accessible gateway that offers a premium, welcoming, and family-oriented experience for Saudi and wider GCC travellers.
What are HKTB’s future plans for Saudi Arabia and the GCC region?
We see the GCC as a long-term partner, not merely a market. Looking ahead, we intend to expand joint campaigns with airlines and the travel trade collaborations across Saudi Arabia and the wider region, while also hosting additional roadshows such as the one we are organizing in Riyadh today and in other key Saudi cities to further strengthen partnerships throughout the Kingdom. We also plan to invite and host more media representatives and influencers from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and the broader Middle East to experience Hong Kong first-hand. At the same time, we will continue to promote our halal and family-friendly offerings, including new attractions and seasonal events. Our ultimate aim is to position Hong Kong as one of the top destinations of choice for Saudi and GCC travellers, whether they are seeking luxury, family holidays, sports, cultural discovery, or business exchange.
