Russian tourism to Hong Kong is growing fast. In the first five months of 2026, the number of Russian visitors went up by over 50% compared to the same period last year. This is according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). From January to May, Hong Kong welcomed 110,000 visitors from Russia. This figure represents a 57.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Among all European source markets, Russia currently holds the second position in terms of tourist volume, trailing only the United Kingdom, which recorded 169,000 arrivals. Officials noted that the UK’s leading position is historically tied to its legacy connections with the territory.
The HKTB attributed the surge in Russian visitor numbers to several strategic factors. Chief among them is the expansion of direct flight capacity, alongside an increase in flights offered by Chinese carriers that feature convenient connecting routes to Hong Kong. Furthermore, the visa-free policy for Russian tourists traveling to mainland China has significantly boosted numbers. This allows travelers to easily combine a trip to Hong Kong with visits to neighboring Chinese provinces. Russian citizens can currently stay in Hong Kong without a visa for up to 14 days and are also permitted to transit through the city without additional paperwork.
Irina Yurina, Head of the Southeast Asia Department of tour operator Russian Express, commented: "Hong Kong usually sees peak bookings in autumn and winter, as summer is considered as hot period with unpredictable weather. Travelers typically combine Hong Kong with other destinations—popular routes include mainland China, Hainan, Thailand, Indonesia, or the Philippines. The absolute classic itinerary is Hong Kong + Macau". "The train journey from Hong Kong to Shenzhen takes just half an hour, and to Guangzhou—only one hour," an HKTB representative explained, emphasizing the ease with which tourists can explore multiple destinations in a single trip.
"Most tourists stay in Hong Kong for 2–4 days, but most of visitors often return multiple times. At Russian Express, bookings for China and Southeast Asia are up significantly year-on-year, and Hong Kong is proving to be a growing, high-demand destination among our agents," Irina Yurina from Russian Express added.
Looking ahead, the HKTB is doubling down on its promotional efforts. In July, the board is launching a new global campaign titled "Only in Hong Kong" across 22 countries, including Russia. The initiative is designed to showcase the region’s unique cultural, culinary, and natural attractions to rekindle international interest and sustain the current growth trajectory.
Photo by Amrit Sethi, Excella Travel, Hong Kong
