Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau

What Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau does

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) is a statutory policy bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, established in 2022 following the restructuring of the former Home Affairs Bureau to consolidate policy responsibility for culture, sports, and tourism under a single cabinet-level secretary. The bureau is responsible for developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and an international cultural metropolis grounded in Chinese traditions, for promoting sports development across community and elite levels, and for positioning Hong Kong as a world-class tourism destination. Its core operating instruments are not commercial products but policy mechanisms: multi-billion-dollar funding schemes including the Film Development Fund (approximately HK$2.9 billion cumulative injection since 1999), the CreateSmart Initiative (approximately HK$6.4 billion, supporting seven non-film creative sectors and over 890 projects), and the Elite Athletes Development Fund (HK$13 billion total).

Underlying these policy instruments is a portfolio of flagship physical infrastructure and operating entities. The bureau oversees the 40-hectare West Kowloon Cultural District (endowed with HK$21.6 billion) and its flagship venues including M+, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Xiqu Centre, Freespace, and Art Park, as well as the 28-hectare Kai Tak Sports Park (cumulative HK$31.9 billion investment, commissioned March 2025) featuring a 50,000-seat main stadium, a 10,000-seat indoor arena, and a 5,000-seat youth sports ground. Delivery is executed through a coordinated network of statutory bodies and partner agencies including the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong Sports Institute, Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), Hong Kong Tourism Board, Travel Industry Authority, Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Sports Commission, and Film Development Council.

Commercially, CSTB does not sell products, charge customers, or generate revenue; it is funded through consolidated government appropriations. Its "customers" in a service-delivery sense comprise the Hong Kong public, tourists, creative industries practitioners (approximately 132,940 across 31,170 establishments contributing roughly HK$66 billion or 2.3% of GDP in 2023), and the sports sector including athletes, national sports associations, and community participants. Pricing models, public pricing disclosures, and select-customer logos are explicitly not applicable. The bureau's international engagement is implemented through formal partnerships and cultural exchange programs with Art Basel (five-year cooperation agreement concluded), Venice Biennale, Bordeaux (MOU on wine and food tourism), Seoul (Hong Kong Week 2025), Shanghai (Roving Architecture Exhibition), Cannes, and Annecy, alongside coordination of the Hong Kong delegation to APEC Tourism Ministerial Meetings.

Name

Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau

Legal name

Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau

Website

https://cstb.gov.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau is a Hong Kong SAR Government policy bureau established in 2022, responsible for developing the city's culture, sports, and tourism sectors through funding schemes (Film Development Fund, CreateSmart Initiative, Elite Athletes Development Fund) and flagship infrastructure (West Kowloon Cultural District, Kai Tak Sports Park), serving residents, visitors, creative industries practitioners, and the sports sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Public Services — Culture, Sports and Tourism

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591)

SIC

Foreign Governments (8888), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions (THAJADAJ), Regional Multi-Sport Games & Festival Organizers (MPAKADAK), Arenas & Indoor Sports Centers (MPAKAEAB)

Keywords

• Cultural policy development
• Sports development programs
• Tourism promotion services
• Creative industries funding
• Government arts administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Hong Kong

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau is the Hong Kong SAR Government's central policy bureau responsible for developing culture, sports, and tourism. It administers funding schemes supporting eight creative sectors (advertising, architecture, design, digital entertainment, film, music, printing and publishing, and television), oversees flagship cultural and sports infrastructure (West Kowloon Cultural District, Kai Tak Sports Park), and coordinates policies to position Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and a premier tourist destination. Its offerings are delivered through partner agencies, statutory bodies, and government departments rather than as in-house commercial products.

Product overview

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau is a Hong Kong government department that does not operate a unified technology product but rather manages a portfolio of government programs, funding schemes, and facilities. Key offerings include: the Film Development Fund and CreateSmart Initiative (funding mechanisms for creative industries), Kai Tak Sports Park (major sports infrastructure), West Kowloon Cultural District (arts and cultural venues), Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme (arts sector support), and the M Mark System (sports events support). These operate as distinct policy instruments rather than an integrated software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kai Tak Sports Park A 28-hectare flagship sports complex on the former Kai Tak airport site, comprising a 50,000-seat main stadium, 10,000-seat indoor arena, 5,000-seat youth sports ground, and landscaped open spaces. Operated under a Design, Build and Operate model by Kai Tak Sports Park Limited under a ~25-year contract, serving athletes, sports organisations, event promoters, and the general public for training, community sports, and major international sports events.
• Film Development Fund (FDF) Government funding scheme established in 1999 to support the Hong Kong film industry across production, distribution, and related projects. Total government injection of approximately HK$2.9 billion as of 2024; the scheme has funded over 100 film productions and over 350 film-related projects, and is advised by the Film Development Council.
• CreateSmart Initiative (CSI) Funding scheme covering seven non-film creative sectors (advertising, architecture, design, digital entertainment, music, printing and publishing, television). Total government injection of HK$6.4 billion as of 2024, supporting over 890 projects covering incubation programmes, exhibitions, and business matching events. Secretarial support is provided by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency.
• West Kowloon Cultural District A 40-hectare integrated arts and cultural district on the West Kowloon waterfront featuring M+ museum (Asia's first global museum of contemporary visual culture, opened 2021), Hong Kong Palace Museum (opened 2024), Xiqu Centre and Freespace venue, and Art Park. Developed by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority under Cap. 601 with a HK$21.6 billion upfront endowment from the Hong Kong SAR Government.
• Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme (ACDFS) Annual funding scheme drawing approximately HK$50 million from the Arts and Sport Development Fund to support large-scale arts and cultural initiatives undertaken by promising small and medium-sized arts groups in Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) Government-funded elite athlete training facility established in 1991 as the delivery agent of the Government's elite sports training system. Funded by the Elite Athletes Development Fund (HK$7 billion injection in 2012 plus HK$6 billion in 2018-19, totalling HK$13 billion) to support high-performance sports development for Hong Kong's elite athletes.
• M Mark System System launched in 2004 to support major international sports events in Hong Kong, providing commercial sector participation opportunities and cultivating sustainable sports events through the M Mark branding.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.

• Bordeaux (France)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion. This Memorandum of Understanding fosters cultural and tourism exchange between the two regions.
• Art BaselcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026CSTB concludes agreement with Art Basel to deepen collaboration over next five years. This partnership aims to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international arts and cultural metropolis and promote cultural exchange.
• Venice BiennaleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2026Hong Kong Exhibition at Venice Biennale showcasing Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries. SCST officiated at opening ceremony and gala dinner.
• Seoul (Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2025Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul featuring LOCAL POWER 2025 Hong Kong Fashion, Hong Kong Comics and Culture Exhibition to promote cultural exchange.
• Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCIDA (formerly Create Hong Kong) serves as the dedicated agency to lead, champion and drive development of creative industries. Acts as secretariat for CreateSmart Initiative and Film Development Fund.
• Film Development CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvises the Government on use of the Film Development Fund and policies/strategies for promotion and development of the film industry.
• West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWKCDA established in 2008 to develop the WKCD into a world-class integrated arts and cultural district. Receives government endowment of $21.6 billion.
• Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCSD promotes sports in the community and provides financial subsidies for related organizations. Manages sports and recreation facilities across Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHKSI established in 1991 as delivery agent for elite sports training system. Receives funding from Elite Athletes Development Fund ($13 billion total injection).
• Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSF&OC is the National Olympic Committee for Hong Kong. Coordinates development of national sports associations and leads Hong Kong delegation to international games.
• Sports CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvises the Government on sports development policies and strategies. Underpinned by Community Sports Committee, Elite Sports Committee, and Major Sports Events Committee.
• China Hong Kong Paralympic CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Paralympic Committee coordinating development of local Para-sports organisations and leading Hong Kong delegation to international games.
• Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHKTB promotes Hong Kong as a premier international city and world-class destination for leisure and business visitors.
• Travel Industry Authority (TIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIA established under Travel Industry Ordinance to regulate travel agents, tour guides, tourist escorts, and manage Travel Industry Compensation Fund.
• Hong Kong Arts Development CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHKADC supports arts development in Hong Kong through funding and promotion of arts and culture.
• Hong Kong Academy for Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHKAPA provides professional training in performing arts to nurture talent for Hong Kong's arts and cultural sector.
• Hong Kong Design CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppointments to Board of Directors of Hong Kong Design Centre announced. Promotes design thinking and creative industries development.
• China National Arts FundmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner14 Hong Kong arts projects supported by China National Arts Fund. Fund opens to applications from eligible Hong Kong arts institutions and practitioners.
• Kai Tak Sports Park LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Operator responsible for design, construction and operation of Kai Tak Sports Park under a 25-year contract (approximately 6 years for design/construction and 19 years for operation).

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cstbhk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau