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Rich Hongkongers rank travel over real estate in shifting life goals, survey shows
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Themis QiPublished: 8:05pm, 11 Aug 2026
Real estate is no longer among the top life goals of most rich Hongkongers while travel is emerging as a form of investment, according to a new survey by Standard Chartered.
The findings were published on Tuesday in the Hong Kong Travel Value Report 2026, in which the British bank interviewed 1,058 affluent Hong Kong residents aged 30 or above with investible assets of at least HK$1 million (US$127,449) to explore their attitudes, spending behaviours and aspirations regarding travel.
In the survey conducted in June, only 24 per cent of respondents chose buying their first home or owning a dream home as one of their life goals, which ranked seventh on the list. In-depth or immersive travel sat in second place, selected by 48 per cent of rich Hongkongers, just behind early retirement at 49 per cent and ahead of holistic wellness at 47 per cent.
For 72 per cent of surveyed high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) with investible assets of HK$7.8 million or above, the pursuit of travel could “build intangible capital, broadening outlook and sustaining long-term well-being”, according to the report.
Among affluent parents, 92 per cent picked overseas travel as “the most meaningful and valuable component” of their child’s educational investment, ahead of tutoring and extracurricular classes, the bank said.
Homes have long been a crucial asset for Hong Kong households in the world’s priciest market. During the early 21st century bull market, the real estate sector contributed over 30 per cent of the city’s gross domestic product from 2000 to 2003, before falling to about 21 per cent in 2021, according to a 2024 report by the Shenzhen-based financial services company Great Wall Securities.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed00:0000:001.00x