Luo Shupei: The number of visitors to Hong Kong in the first quarter was 14.31 million, an increase of 17%. It is expected that the total number of visitors for the whole year will reach 53.8 million, an increase of around 8%.

On April 1, the Director of Hong Kong's Tourism, Culture and Sports Bureau, Rosanna Law, stated in the Legislative Council that the tourism industry continues to maintain a strong momentum this year. The number of visitors to Hong Kong in the first three months reached 14.31 million, a 17% increase compared to the same period last year. It is expected that the total number of visitors for the year will reach 53.8 million, an increase of about 8% compared to the previous year. She pointed out that as of the end of February, there are a total of 333 hotels in Hong Kong, providing over 93,400 rooms. The average occupancy rate last year was 87%, and during the Chinese New Year golden period in February, the hotel occupancy rate was generally around 90%. The government will continue to promote the deep integration of culture, sports, and tourism and support the continuous development of the industry. In response to queries from members of the council, Rosanna Law stated that the government has been in communication with the industry regarding hotel room tax to ensure compliance and smooth operation of tax payment. She believes that the hotel room tax can provide a stable source of income for the government without affecting the general public. The estimated tax revenue for the fiscal year 2025-26 is HK$770 million, and it is expected to reach HK$800 million in 2026-27. The government currently has no plans to freeze or adjust the tax rate. Tourism sector member Tony Tse expressed concern about when the government would consider adjusting or canceling the hotel room tax if the occupancy rate declines due to the situation in the Middle East and competition from neighboring regions. Rosanna Law responded by mentioning that the average hotel occupancy rate and number of overnight guests increased by about 2% and 6% respectively compared to 2024. The occupancy rate continues to improve during festivals or major events, and the number of non-mainland visitors in March this year has also increased, reflecting the positive impact of major events. New People's Party member Eunice Yung mentioned that some hotels have low occupancy rates during non-peak periods, and some in the industry are considering converting properties into student dormitories. Development Bureau Deputy Director Ivan Lin stated that the government's Co-Living Pilot Scheme has received approximately 30 applications, of which only two are from the hotel industry, involving around 130 rooms. The rest of the applications are for office use. He emphasized that the current hotel occupancy rate is promising and there are not too many applications seeking to change the use of properties.