The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said it hopes to promote the SAR as a Muslim-friendly travel destination by working with the sector to strengthen the city's infrastructure.

With overall tourist figures rebounding after the pandemic, the HKTB said it will boost promotion in different source markets, including shaping Hong Kong as a Muslim-friendly travel destination.

In response, the executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, Timothy Chui, said the sector has to do a lot, especially in terms of dining preparations for Muslim tourists.

He added that some may require having pork-free menus or eating at halal-certified restaurants.

The HKTB announced on Monday that tourist arrivals in the SAR reached 7.8 million in January and February, which was about 70 percent of the same period in 2018.

It said Hong Kong's flight capacity has been increasing, leading to a boost in tourist numbers, with many of them coming from the mainland or Southeast Asian countries.

The HKTB expects total arrivals to reach 46 million for the entire year, which would be a 35 percent increase from 2023.