Hong Kong Tourism Board launches Hong Kong Winterfest

Citywide Effort to Attract Visitors with Glittering Winter Festivities

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced today (27 November) the staging of Hong Kong WinterFest. Organised by the HKTB for the eighth consecutive year, the mega event runs from today until 3 January 2010. To capitalise on the golden opportunities of the Christmas and New Year promotion window, the HKTB has increased its marketing resources for strengthening promotions in Mainland China and other short-haul markets, so as to encourage visitors to come celebrate the festive season in Hong Kong. Locally, the HKTB has joined hands with different sectors to promote the many new celebratory programmes and citywide participation, making Hong Kong the most festive and high-spirited travel destination in Asia during the winter season.

HKTB Chairman Mr James Tien said that the HKTB has stepped up its winter promotions in various source markets this year. “Our resources for promoting Hong Kong WinterFest in Mainland China and other short-haul markets have increased by 30% over last year. About half of the total amount has gone to the Mainland market,” Mr Tien remarked. “Our focus is the young segment. As well as tapping the non-Guangdong visitor sources, we will leverage on the publicity to build a promotional platform for drawing the non-permanent residents in Shenzhen to Hong Kong. As for other short-haul markets, such as South Korea, India and Taiwan, we are collaborating with the travel trade on tactical promotions. Through creative publicity effort, we aim to stimulate the desire of young travellers to visit Hong Kong.”

This winter, Hong Kong buzzes with a plethora of exciting and fun activities. On top of organising the internationally famous New Year Countdown Celebrations, the HKTB is working with different sectors to enhance the festive ambience citywide. Among the highlights is large-scale Christmas carol performance “Angelic Carols” featuring local artistes Chet Lam and at 17, along with 400 Primary 1-3 students from 20 schools.

At the invitation of the HKTB, several buildings and shopping centres on both sides of Victoria Harbour and in key tourist districts will enhance their Christmas lights and display with the “Hong Kong Welcomes You” message. The newly opened 1881 Heritage, which was converted from the former Hong Kong Marine Police headquarters, will also put up large-scale Christmas decorations and special performances to tie in with Hong Kong WinterFest.

The HKTB will bundle the festive lighting and colourful displays in various districts, including the dazzling decorations at Harbour City and Tsim Sha Tsui East, as well as the celebrations across different parts of Hong Kong, and promote them to visitors, making the city the most festive and high-spirited travel destination in Asia this winter season. The HKTB is also mobilising the travel trade, food districts and shopping malls to introduce a tempting range of offers and special packages. As culinary delights play an important part in the festive celebrations, the HKTB will publish its first-ever Hong Kong Winter Delicacies Guide, highlighting to visitors the many specialties of Hong Kong during the winter season, such as rice in clay pot and hot pot recommended by celebrities and food critics from around the region.

The HKTB is encouraging local residents to share with visitors worldwide the stunning display of Christmas lights in Hong Kong. For the first time, the HKTB has launched a photo competition “Top 10 Vantage Points for Viewing Hong Kong Christmas Lighting”. The HKTB hopes that the recommendations on the best vantage points by residents will become “must-visit” attractions of visitors, and they can enjoy a picturesque Christmas and New Year filled with great fun, entertainment, and wonderful shopping and dining experiences.