The 39th International Travel Expo, co-located with the 20th MICE Travel Expo, commenced on Thursday in Hong Kong, bringing together approximately 500 exhibitors from over 60 countries and regions. This four-day event, running until Sunday, serves as a prominent platform for showcasing the latest tour routes and services, catering to a diverse audience within the global travel industry.

The exhibition features an extensive program of over 110 events, including various promotional programs, insightful symposiums, and educational lectures. Demonstrating an initiative to broaden its appeal, the expo has introduced new dedicated sections aimed at attracting younger travel enthusiasts, specifically targeting Gen Z and young parents interested in family travel.

During the opening ceremony, Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, highlighted Hong Kong's sustained growth as a world-class tourist destination. She reported a significant increase in tourist arrivals for the first five months of the year, reaching around 20 million, which represents a 12 percent year-on-year rise. Furthermore, the annual forecast for visits to Hong Kong stands at 49 million, anticipating a 10 percent uptick from the previous year.

While the initial days of the expo are exclusively reserved for tourism industry insiders, the event will open its doors to the general public from the third day onwards. Organizers estimate a total attendance of around 70,000 visitors for this year's International Travel Expo, reinforcing its status as a key event in the regional travel calendar.