The government on Tuesday said it expects mega events in the first half of next year to attract 840,000 tourists, a 50 percent rise when compared with the same period this year.

At a press conference, officials said there will be more than 90 mega events in the first half of 2025, including festivals, conventions and sports events.

They said the events are expected to generate total spending of HK$3.3 billion, which would be a 40 percent increase compared to the first half of 2024.

Asked about the cancellation of events due to poor weather conditions, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said the government will have better arrangements by learning from the mainland and creating back-up plans for events like drone shows.

"For example for some of the shows, the original plan was to have 2,000 drones in a show, and they lowered the density to around 400. This allowed the show to continue to be carried out," he said.

"I will learn from them, so for some of the shows in the future, that will be one of the alternative options that we will prepare for."

Culture and tourism minister Kevin Yeung, meanwhile, said it is inevitable that outdoor events such as the cross-harbour swim run the risk of being affected by the weather.

He admitted that tourists might feel disappointed with the cancellation of events, but dismissed worries that Hong Kong's reputation as a mega events hub could be damaged.