Thousands of overseas travellers in Hong Kong for international races week
發佈日期: 2025-12-11 20:31
TVB News
This week marks the "Hong Kong International Races week". Over 1,000 overseas racing fans reportedly travelled to Hong Kong in groups, doubling last year's figure.
The excitement kicked off with International Jockeys' Championship held on Wednesday, at the Happy Valley Racecourse.
Fans and punters were seen studying form guides in a concentrated manner along the trackside, and the party is just getting started.
According to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, nearly 1,400 overseas visitors travelled all the way to the city, just to be part of the International Jockeys' Championship and International Races on Sunday, where four prestigious Group 1 races will be featured.
A foreign tourist said: "Hong Kong has been on my bucket list for such a long time, particularly after watching Ka Ying Rising, in the Everest, he was so so dominant there, to be able to see him on his home soil is really really exciting."
But it's not just about the track. The HKJC shared that, these travellers would spend an average of seven days in the city, and would also explore the city's sights during their stay.
Excluding air-tickets and accommodation, their average per-person spending would be approximately 25,000 Hong Kong dollars. That would mean a 35 million contribution to the local economy.
A tourist said: "It's close to Christmas. I have not yet even started my Christmas shopping yet, so I plan to do that while I'm here (my budget is) around 20,000 to 25,000 dollars."
Tour group organizers highlighted the increase of demand for this type of traveller over the past four years.
This group from Australia had nearly 100 members alone, prompting early closure of registration due to the high demand. About 30 percent of these visitors are returning customers.
Australian racing tour organiser Eliza O' Sullivan, said: "Hong Kong has an offering that we don't get to see anywhere else on the international stage, Happy Valley for example, we can see you've got a whole heap of residential spaces, that's really bringing your community into racing, so that's something we're actually expanding into Australia."
The Jockey Club says they'll keep upgrading the racecourse and open up more areas for visitors.
It's all part of stepping up their game to support the government in developing horse racing tourism.
