Hong Kong may lower age limit for horse racing to boost tourism

Jenny Ortiz October 22, 2024

The Hong Kong government is exploring the possibility of reducing the age restriction for horse racing attendees as part of its broader tourism drive. Currently, individuals under 18 are not permitted to enter racecourses or place bets.

In an interview with Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK, Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Kevin Yeung, confirmed that discussions with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) are underway to consider this change. This initiative is in line with the city’s efforts to promote horse racing as a key tourist attraction.

Chief Executive John Lee has prioritised the development of unique tourism experiences in Hong Kong, including horse racing. Reducing the age limit could open the sport to a wider audience, attracting tourists and local families. Yeung, however, emphasised that any changes would require careful evaluation before implementation.

International horse racing practices and local regulations

Hong Kong’s current age restriction stands in contrast to international norms. In countries like the UK, Australia, and Japan, children can attend horse races when accompanied by an adult, although some areas of the racecourse may remain restricted. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has expressed support for these potential changes, seeing an opportunity to expand the sport’s audience and make it more family friendly. The HKJC has also committed to maintaining stringent betting controls to prevent underage participation.

Cruise tourism development and comparisons with Singapore

In addition to promoting horse racing, Hong Kong is focused on expanding its cruise tourism sector. Despite recent comparisons with Singapore’s cruise industry, Yeung noted that Hong Kong’s typhoon season, from May to September, significantly impacts cruise arrivals. Singapore, which doesn’t face these weather challenges, recorded around 70 percent more cruise traffic between July and October compared to Hong Kong.

Yeung stressed that Hong Kong’s strength lies in its position as a regional transport hub, with high-speed rail links to mainland China and international connectivity through its airport. The government plans to leverage these advantages to attract more cruise liners to use Hong Kong as a homeport. A comprehensive action plan for cruise tourism, along with a broader tourism development blueprint, is expected to be unveiled later this year.

Revitalising Hong Kong’s tourism industry

These initiatives are part of a larger government strategy to revitalise Hong Kong’s tourism sector by diversifying its offerings. In his recent policy address, Lee highlighted several tourism avenues, such as yacht tourism, panda tourism, eco-tourism, and horse racing, as key areas of development. Horse racing is seen as a unique feature of Hong Kong’s identity and a major draw for international visitors.