Up Your Incentive Group’s Game!

INCENTIVE-TRAVEL organisers choosing Hong Kong for their groups can now be inspired by a fun, easily accessible resource of at least 100 ideas for activities presented in the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook.

Groups will take home fond memories thanks to this compilation of ideas on how they can immerse themselves in the city. Planners can use the ideas to lay the basis for team-building, select delightful places to experience Hong Kong’s choice of cuisine, create memorable post-conference excursions, and much more.

Above all, the ideas are authentic and fun – two essential ingredients for a memorable incentive experience. The Playbook is also great for crafting those engaging, post-meeting itineraries that help groups learn more about Hong Kong.

Activities range from the carnival atmosphere of an evening at the races in Happy Valley, and cruising along Victoria Harbour, with one of the world’s most splendid city skylines as a backdrop. Your groups can enjoy compelling art in West Kowloon Cultural District and try Hong Kong’s favourites like The Peak Tram, Ocean Park or Hong Kong Disneyland.

The city has an abundance of locations, themes and activities to suit your group, and the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook is there to help with its hundred-plus incentive ideas grouped under five themes…

Arts & Culture – Hong Kong’s cultural vibrancy is waiting to be explored. From art jamming, to traditional Chinese painting workshops, to world-class art galleries and the famed museums of West Kowloon Cultural District, there are opportunities for groups to bond. The craft experiences extend to leather-making workshops and creating charming keepsakes during a pearl-farming experience at sea.

Groups can also admire the work of other artists, enjoy tours of the world-class venues at West Kowloon Cultural District – with contemporary exhibitions at M+ Museum – take a fascinating look back at China’s past with the Palace Museum treasures, or learn about Cantonese Opera at the Xiqu Centre.

Wellness & Nature – Mountainous backdrops and picturesque walking trails are never far from urban Hong Kong with 75 per cent of the city’s land mass made up of country parks. There are wellness sanctuaries with mindfulness workshops, wholesome dining at farm-to-table restaurants, organic farms or temples. Then there are accessible trails for all levels of hiker with the chance of hiking up to take in glorious vistas over Hong Kong or out to amazing beaches.

A boat journey from locations such as the town of Sai Kung gets groups closer to the UNESCO Global Geopark to view rock formations unique to Hong Kong. There are also hidden gems on Outlying Islands such as Lantau where Tai O, with its wooden houses on stilts and crafts handed down through generations, can be found.

Neighbourhoods – For a streetwise experience of Hong Kong, get your groups along to Old Town Central on Hong Kong Island, or around the bustling night markets such as Temple Street in Kowloon.

The city’s neighbourhoods are brimming with character. Groups can experience the charm of centuries-old side streets, and enjoy the trendy bars and restaurants of unique landmarks found in places like Tai Kwun, a wonderfully preserved piece of Hong Kong heritage that also offers a museum and arts space. Heritage along with age-old craftsmanship can also be found in Sham Shui Po and Mongkok in Kowloon. Or groups can discover Hong Kong’s largest island – Lantau, with its stunning natural landscape and the well-preserved village of Tai O.​

Nightlife & Parties – Whether it’s the growing number of cocktail bars that are shaking the scene with original ingredients, finding tucked-away craft ale bars, or dancing the night away in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong has plenty to offer groups who bond through nightlife. The city’s restaurants are also a favourite for celebrations, with choices ranging from fine dining and banquets to Asian, Western and, of course, Chinese cuisines.

A fabulous way of getting groups together during the evening is a night at the races in Happy Valley. Wednesday evenings are a favourite with locals, but it’s not all about picking your favourite horse to win. Bands and performers take to the stage and there is a tasty choice of food and beverage to let groups enjoy the evening and take home more fond memories of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Signatures – Classic Hong Kong experiences will always be there for locals, tourists – and now visiting business event groups. Favourites include cruises on Victoria Harbour, whether on a fancy vessel complete with banquet, or the charm of a classic Chinese sailing junk. More inland ideas can also be found. Try an afternoon or evening at Ocean Park or Hong Kong Disneyland, which both have fine meetings facilities; haggle for bargains at street markets; hire a tram to combine sightseeing with a party; stroll the Avenue of Stars on Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, and look in awe at the statue to the city’s very own Bruce Lee. You’ll find plenty more ideas for post-conference activities and incentive itineraries – and they’re all in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Incentive Playbook provides a perfect one-stop, interactive platform for incentive planners to begin creating authentic and memorable experiences that bond your groups and help meet your event objectives. Planners can create incentive programmes with a difference by working with ideas from the superbly designed playbook, which is available in English, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese.

The ideas you can use show how Hong Kong is the finest place in the world to mix business and leisure; even better, groups will learn more about the city and each other.

Travel-trade partners from Mainland China and various markets in Asia have given the Incentive Playbook a thumbs-up after a four-day, three-night familiarisation trip filled with immersive experiences from the Playbook. Here’s what some of them had to say…

Discovering Hong Kong’s exciting incentive possibilities through the ‘Hong Kong Incentive Playbook’ is a game-changer. The diverse attractions, nostalgic sites and trendy bars offer unique experiences for all.”
– Zhang Yang, General Manager of Xi’an Cultural Tourism Co. Ltd. Beijing Branch

Beyond shopping and dining, Hong Kong offers diverse cultural encounters and unique activities like yoga and wellness events.”
– Maria Paz Alberto, President of Ark Travel Express Inc

A city with excellent shopping, vibrant nightlife and numerous tourist attractions, Hong Kong provides ideal conditions for hosting incentive tours from India. I am enthusiastic about promoting Hong Kong’s nightlife hotspots in the future.”
– Aoyan Adhya, Assistant Vice President (MICE) at Thomas Cook Limited, India

Hong Kong’s new attractions, including the Palace Museum and M+, as well as its diverse array of experiences, are appealing to Indonesian travellers in search of novelty. The Neighbourhoods theme is sure to attract them like a magnet.”
– Kevin Kuswadi, Managing Director of Pelangi Tour, Indonesia

South Korean travellers like Hong Kong’s nightlife. In the post-pandemic era, there is a growing interest in wellness and nature experiences. We have seen a 1.4-fold increase in incentive travel inquiries to Hong Kong.”
– Ji-Hyeon Ryu, Manager of Global Tour, South Korea

The Incentive Playbook will continue to evolve and expand with new features, ensuring it remains an indispensable planning tool for industry professionals and travellers.

Main image: Getting into the swing of team-bonding at a golf driving range – a great way for groups to unwind