To mark the 20th anniversary of the HKSAR’s establishment this July, the creative industries and culture will take the spotlight in the city’s celebration activities in 2017.
The Hong Kong government has set aside an extra HK$74 million (US$9.5 million) for the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to enhance seven mega events in 2017. A new four-day carnival along Central’s waterfront is planned for August, while celebratory programmes are added to the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and Hong Kong November Feast.
A HKTB spokesman revealed that coupon booklets with a wide array of deals will be available to the public at HKTB visitor centres and various hotels from April, as well as special souvenirs for events such as the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival and Hong Kong Cyclothon.
“Additionally, we will also to work with major payment platforms, lifestyle portals and social media, such as Alipay and Dianping, to promote related 20th anniversary travel products and offers to attract more mainland visitors,” the spokesperson added.
As “most details of the celebration only came online in late 2016”, Sincere International Travel Service’s chairman Charles Ng lamented that he was not able to leverage the celebratory events to attract more overseas visitors in the first two months of the year.
Holiday World Tour, managing director, Paul Leung is hopeful that the celebrations will stimulate other markets in place of China, which is likely to remain sluggish this year.
He said: “The selected mega events have been running for a while now so new elements may help to drum up (greater awareness) for the global markets. In fact, the board should not just do it just for the 20th celebration, but keep injecting new ideas every year.”
