Rock group set to hit stage at Central harbourfront at 7.15pm to play final in seven-show tour of city after one concert postponed last week.

Tourism lawmaker Perry Yiu says industry working on presenting ‘old offerings in new or refreshing and innovative ways’.

The 99-room The Opposite House, the group’s first hotel, will close after 16 years to make way for an ‘innovative retail landmark’ in the Taikoo Li Sanlitun area.

Tourism Board touts efforts to lure visitors through influencers in target market countries amid slower-than-expected return of mainland Chinese.

UK insurer Prudential reported a strong set of results for 2023 driven by higher sales to mainland Chinese visitors as they returned to Hong Kong for better life policies and investment returns.

AIA Group’s new sales in Hong Kong and mainland China continued to grow in the first two months of the year, indicating strong momentum from last year is carrying over in its two major markets, according to its top boss.

The number of events in the second half of 2023 hit 84 per cent of the pre-pandemic level and is on track to match it this year, top executive says.

Decline driven by strong Hong Kong dollar, uncertain economic conditions and change in tourists’ behaviour, board says.

First change to scheme since 2007 is part of efforts to revive tourism, but analysts caution over setting high expectations of swift economic impact.

Policy sales have been boosted by the reopening of the mainland border, a weakening yuan and the interest rate gap between China and the United States, the Insurance Authority says.

John Lee praises ‘very smooth’ talks with mainland China, announces Shenzhen Bay checkpoint to operate 24 hours and Lo Wu to stay open until 2am during Lunar New Year holiday.

Empty shops, measly sales leave shop owners hoping talks on visa scheme will bring back day trippers.

Lam Sai-hung optimistic about talks with mainland China over increasing Lunar New Year opening hours for checkpoints to ease travel flow.

Readers discuss the price obstacle to the promotion of Hong Kong tourism, and a frequent travel scheme for Shenzhen residents.

Tourism sector figures say hotels can handle more overnight visitors and authorities should update Individual Visit Scheme, which has not added cities since 2007.

Government insider says resumption of scheme possible before Lunar New Year, but final decision has yet to be made.

Sales of policies to mainland visitors hit HK$46.8 billion (US$6 billion) in the nine months to September, compared with HK$1 billion a year ago, according to data from the Insurance Authority.

John Lee urges businesses to explore ways to get more than 7 million residents staying in Hong Kong to spend locally.

Tourism chief Kevin Yeung says 38,981 tour groups from mainland visited between January 1 and November 15 this year, with city recording growth every month.

Hong Kong’s tourist hotspot of Tsim Sha Tsui retained its ranking as the most expensive retail destination in Asia-Pacific, but slipped to third place globally, according to a survey by Cushman & Wakefield.

Residents drawn by price, freshness and wide variety can also have their crabs cooked on the spot in Shenzhen supermarket.

Hongkongers heading north say crossing is more convenient after mainland authorities scrap mandatory health declaration introduced during Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism minister Kevin Yeung says change unlikely to affect flows over border, but catering, retail leaders say more needs to done to ensure residents spend at home.