We spoke with Michael Mou, General Manager of Destination Asia Hong Kong, to gain insight into how travellers are rediscovering the city and what’s shaping demand today. With years of experience guiding both leisure and corporate guests and over 7 years with Destination Asia, he shares his perspective on emerging neighbourhoods, new luxury openings, and why Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s most compelling destinations for all styles of travel.
How does Hong Kong cater to different types of leisure travellers, from luxury to families or adventure seekers?
In Hong Kong, luxury travellers are spoiled with designer hotels, acclaimed restaurants, and exclusive shopping districts. Families can explore Disneyland, Ocean Park, and hands-on museums, which easily fill a few days. For adventure seekers, Hong Kong’s outdoors is the real surprise, offering dramatic hikes, cliffside climbs, beaches, and even skydiving. It’s a destination with depth, no matter the style of travel.
Are there any changes to the way travellers are choosing to visit Hong Kong?
We’re seeing longer stays and more multi-destination trips that combine Hong Kong with Macau or nearby regions in mainland China. Travellers also want itineraries with personality e.g. food-led exploration, neighbourhood walks, wellness, and time in nature as opposed to the traditional highlights tour.
Are there any nearby escapes or day trips you’d recommend for visitors looking to take a break from the city’s built-up centre?
Lantau is an easy favourite with its quiet trails and the Tian Tan Buddha. Sai Kung feels like a seaside holiday thanks to its beaches and relaxed villages. Those who love the outdoors tend to enjoy sections of the MacLehose Trail, while the smaller islands, such as Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, offer an easy day of wandering, cycling, and café-hopping.
When is the ideal time to visit Hong Kong for those wanting to experience the excitement of local festivals and celebrations?
December to February is the most festive period, with Christmas, Chinese New Year, various parades, lion dances, and plenty of city-wide celebrations.
Are there any unique venues or experiences that can make corporate or incentive trips truly memorable?
Skyline dinner cruises, private rooftop events, heritage visits to Tai O, chartered tram rides, and curated Michelin-star dining always stand out. For active groups, team-building on Victoria Peak or within Hong Kong’s country parks add a refreshing outdoor element. Hong Kong is a great destination for incentive trips because it can offer a huge variety with relatively short travel time between destinations and activities.
What makes Hong Kong stand out as a destination for meetings and events?
The combination of world-class venues, efficient transport, and a dynamic business landscape makes hosting events exceptionally smooth. Add the skyline, cultural neighbourhoods, and easy post-event entertainment, and the city becomes an inspiring destination for any group.
Are there any emerging or lesser-known neighbourhoods or attractions in Hong Kong that you’re excited to see gaining popularity?
Sham Shui Po has become a creative pocket of markets, indie shops, and great cafés and offers a completely different rhythm to the city’s luxury districts. The West Kowloon Cultural District is also shaping up to be a major arts hub with new galleries, museums, and waterfront performance spaces.
What can Taiwan and mainland China offer for M&I clients that is not available in Hong Kong?
Both offer larger venues suited for groups of 300 or more, along with plenty of off-site dining and activity options. Taiwan brings a mix of night markets, hot springs, striking scenery like Taroko Gorge, and deep indigenous heritage. Mainland China offers vast cultural icons, from the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors and more expansive outdoor and historical experiences. Our team in Hong Kong can provide expert assistance in planning and delivering travel plans to these areas.
What new hotels and venues are opening in Hong Kong that excite you?
Rosewood’s new residences and the W Hong Kong’s refreshed event spaces are generating a lot of interest, particularly among planners looking for modern luxury with strong design appeal. Both developments offer versatile spaces suited for high-end incentives and intimate corporate gatherings, along with elevated dining and service standards that make events feel effortlessly polished.
The continued development of the West Kowloon Cultural District is also exciting, with new cultural and event venues reshaping how groups can experience the city.
What do you find most rewarding about helping travellers experience this part of Asia?
Being part of someone’s discovery of the region — its food, people, landscapes, and stories — never gets old. Helping travellers connect more deeply with the destination is genuinely fulfilling.
What do you wish more people knew about Hong Kong?
That is far more than a city of skyscrapers. Hong Kong is 70% green space, with beaches, islands, hiking trails, and small villages that feel worlds away from the developed Central area. The contrast is what makes it so memorable, you can go from dim sum to a mountain summit in the same afternoon.
