Hong Kong Tourism Board hosted its annual overview in front of 1,200 trade representatives with the city championing “mega events” as it competes for international visitors and business events.
Themed “Partnering for Success, Shaping the Future”, the HKTB Annual Tourism Overview at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 20 highlighted the latest tourism trends and upcoming work plans. Travel and business event representatives attending the seminar included those from hotels, airlines, visitor attractions, retailers, F&B, the cruise sector, and tourism students from local colleges.
Representatives involved in the Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors – a program that brings experts together to assist with Hong Kong’s conference bids – also spoke at the MICE and Cruise section of the overview.
Rosanna Law, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said in her opening remarks: “Tourism has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s economy all along. We will vigorously press ahead the implementation of the ‘Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism 2.0’ to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a world-class premier tourism destination and achieve the mission of ‘Tourism is Everywhere’.
Rosanna Law outlined three key messages in her speech:
- Leveraging Support from the Central People’s Government: Hong Kong should strategically utilise the supportive measures provided by the Chinese government to maximise benefits for the city as an international tourist destination.
- Fortifying Traditional Tourism Assets and Developing New Products: While maintaining and strengthening Hong Kong’s traditional tourism advantages, there is a need to unleash creativity and develop new products that will captivate visitors.
- Promoting the Concept of ‘Everyone is a Tourism Ambassador’: Encouraging both the trade and the public to welcome every visitor warmly and promote the spirit of hospitality, ensuring that everyone plays a role in enhancing the tourism experience.
HKTB Chairman Pang Yiu-kai praised the resilience and creativity of the tourism sector in his welcoming remarks. “The tourism and related sectors have demonstrated resilience, flexibility and creativity in the face of many challenges. From encouraging the public to be their own visitors during the pandemic to reopening the doors to global travel, the HKTB has been working with trade partners to seize the opportunities for change and innovation.”
Dane Cheng, HKTB Executive Director, Dane Cheng, reviewed the past year’s tourism performance and shared the board’s strategies for 2025. These include launching thematic promotions, developing diversified markets, and enhancing service quality. Cheng also announced the introduction of smart tourism tools to improve visitor experiences and create new business opportunities for the travel trade.
Main picture… Travel trade representatives get together at the HKTB Annual Tourism Overview
