The Hong Kong SAR government held a press conference on the 19th to announce the schedule of major events in the first half of 2025. In the first half of 2025, Hong Kong will host at least 93 major events, which are expected to bring approximately HKD 3.3 billion in consumption and approximately HKD 1.8 billion in economic value added to Hong Kong. The Deputy Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Wong Wai lun, introduced that the major events to be held in the first half of 2025 will cover five categories: 30 cultural, artistic and creative projects, 26 conference and exhibition projects, 15 sports and event projects, 12 festivals and celebrations, performances and carnivals, and 10 financial, economic and innovative activities. The SAR government expects that the major events in the first half of 2025 will attract about 840000 tourists, a year-on-year increase of over 50%. It is estimated that there will be over 240 major events in Hong Kong throughout 2024, and the SAR government estimates that it will attract more than 2 million tourists, bringing approximately HKD 7.5 billion in consumption and HKD 4.5 billion in economic value added to Hong Kong, which is an increase from previous estimates. (New Society)