From Star Ferry to Stardom: How a Central Entrepreneur is Rewriting Hong Kong's Tourism Playbook

When visitor numbers to Hong Kong hit 6.4 million in the first half of 2026—a 23 per cent jump from the same period last year—most of the credit went to returning mainland Chinese tourists and Southeast Asian travellers. But behind the scenes, a quieter revolution has been reshaping how visitors experience the city, driven by one entrepreneur who refused to let Hong Kong's tourism industry rest on its iconic vistas alone.

Based in a characterful shophouse on Gough Street in Soho, hospitality veteran David Chan has built a portfolio of neighbourhood-focused experiences that challenge the conventional tourist trail. His flagship venture, a curated series of heritage walking tours and pop-up dining events anchored across Central, Sheung Wan, and Hollywood Road, has become increasingly difficult to book—word-of-mouth demand now outpaces his team's capacity by nearly two to one.

"The data showed us something striking," Chan explained during a recent industry forum. "Visitors were spending an average of just 4.2 days in Hong Kong, with most concentrated around Victoria Peak and the Star Ferry. We saw an opportunity in the overlooked stories—the antique dealers, the traditional craftspeople, the family-run dai pai dong restaurants that have operated here for decades."

His model is straightforward but effective. Small group tours of no more than twelve people navigate Central's laneway heritage, followed by seated meals in unmarked restaurants chosen specifically for their historical significance rather than Michelin credentials. Pricing runs from HK$1,280 to HK$2,480 per person, depending on the itinerary. What sets the offering apart is the coordination with local business owners—Chan works directly with proprietors to ensure authentic access and storytelling.

The approach appears to be working. His venture attracted 3,200 visitors across June alone, generating an estimated HK$4.2 million in direct revenue. More tellingly, repeat bookings and referrals now account for 41 per cent of his business, suggesting genuine satisfaction rather than novelty appeal.

Tourism officials have taken notice. The Hong Kong Tourism Board recently partnered with Chan's operation to feature his model as a case study in their new "Neighbourhood Ambassadors" initiative, designed to distribute visitor spending more evenly across the city's districts.

As mainland travel rebounds and international arrivals continue their steady climb back to pre-pandemic levels, Chan's insight—that Hong Kong's competitive edge lies not in competing with theme parks and beach resorts, but in authentic, locally embedded experiences—may well define how the city captures its tourism future.

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