FTU Proposes Five-Point Plan to Boost Hong Kong Study Tourism Economy
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCES1 day ago6 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) convened a roundtable on Monday (September 7) to discuss strategies for developing Hong Kong's study tourism economy. FTU Vice Chairman and Legislative Council member Chan Wing-yan emphasized the need to improve visa procedures, establish communication platforms, set industry standards, and address student accommodation bottlenecks to create a seamless transition from study tours to formal academic programmes. The Education Bureau highlighted that Hong Kong's "Study in Hong Kong" brand is gaining international traction, with over 100 summer courses drawing more than 10,000 applications from over 30 countries and regions during the 2026 summer season.
Key Points
- FTU Vice Chairman Chan Wing-yan (陳穎欣) chaired the "Learning Through Travel: Developing Study Tourism Economy Roundtable" on September 7, proposing five key policy recommendations
- Education Bureau Deputy Secretary Dr. Shi Junhui stated that the government aims to build a complete talent development pathway: from study tours to formal studies and ultimately to staying in Hong Kong
- During the 2026 summer, local institutions offered over 100 "Study in Hong Kong" programmes, attracting more than 10,000 applications from over 30 countries, with some programmes seeing 70% participation from European, American, and Belt and Road countries
- The five FTU proposals include: introducing short-term study tour visas, creating qualified provider lists, relaxing campus facility regulations with increased subsidies, establishing clear supervision guidelines, and setting up an official communication platform
- Chan Wing-yan emphasized that the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Tourism Board should lead efforts to establish vendor certification and quality standards to address market disorder and university concerns
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's ambition to become an international higher education hub faces practical challenges in visa processing, accommodation availability, and programme quality assurance. The FTU's five-point proposal offers concrete policy directions that could transform short-term study tours into pathways for attracting international talent, which aligns with the Northern Metropolis development plan's vision for a university town. Successful implementation would not only diversify Hong Kong's economy but also strengthen its position as a gateway between the Mainland and global education markets .
Hong Kong's ambition to become an international higher education hub faces practical challenges in visa processing, accommodation availability, and programme quality assurance. The FTU's five-point proposal offers concrete policy directions that could transform short-term study tours into pathways for attracting international talent, which aligns with the Northern Metropolis development plan's vision for a university town. Successful implementation would not only diversify Hong Kong's economy but also strengthen its position as a gateway between the Mainland and global education markets .