Rich Hongkongers rank travel over real estate in shifting life goals, survey shows
Immersive travel and early retirement rank above real estate on the priority list of wealthy individuals, according to a new report
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.