HIGH-END travellers from the Middle East considering a stay in Hong Kong are being wooed with the city’s luxury experiences – from helicopter tours and maritime cruises to exclusive theme park buyouts and private dining.
The products come as part of a series of initiatives launched by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) targeting member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar,
HKTB led a delegation of more than 30 travel trade representatives to the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which ends today.
A new guidebook – Travel in Luxe Hong Kong – was introduced at the HKTB pavilion detailing the lifestyle experiences on offer under themes such as Cultural Encounter, Exploring Hong Kong in Style, Family Bonds and Exquisite Services.
Experiences available include:
- Cantonese opera make-up and costume experience and private viewing of shows in Xiqu Centre;
- Helicopter tour around Hong Kong lifting off from The Peninsula helipads;
- Top-tier hotel suite accommodation with personal shopping experiences and private dining by Michelin-starred chefs;
- Whole-venue blocked-out theme park exploration with customised hospitality.
“Statistically, about 80 per cent of the total visitor arrivals from the GCC countries travel to Hong Kong for leisure and business,” said Dane Cheng, HKTB executive director. “They not only have high spending power, but are also pursue to enjoy stylish travel experiences.
Cheng said the increasing number of direct flights between the Middle East and Hong Kong, along with the availability of high-end travel experiences and HKTB’s co-operation with the travel trade to enhance Muslim-friendly services facilities in the city, would see more visitors from the region.
Two partnership understandings were signed by HKTB during the Arabian Travel Market with Emirates airline and Dnata Travel Group to deepen cooperation and promote Hong Kong as a tourism destination in Middle Eastern markets.
HKTB also invited more than 10 entrepreneurs and travel trade representatives from the Middle East to visit Hong Kong to see Muslim-friendly facilities such as halal dining and places of worship.
