KEYNOTE speakers and delegates at the Asian Financial Forum were treated to themed itineraries crafted by Hong Kong Tourism Board.
The 18th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) brought more than 3,600 delegates including top corporate leaders to Hong Kong. About 100 delegates and the forum’s keynote speakers joined two post-conference tours that took in sights such as Old Town Central, Victoria Peak and the Hong Kong skyline with a harbour cruise aboard a traditional Chinese junk.
Among the A-list speakers enjoying the tour were Professor Justin Yifu Lin (former World Bank Chief Economist and Senior Vice President), Bei Saville (Chief Investment Officer, Treasury of Fingerboard Family Office, Advance), and Marc Baghadjian (CEO and Co-Founder of Hypercard American Express).
HKTB arranged a tide-and-town evening excursion for delegates after each day of the forum to let them enjoy some of Hong Kong’s celebrated nighttime magic. The tours also served to emphasise Hong Kong’s role as the “World’s Meeting Place”.
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Marc Baghadjian was among some 50 guests on the Chinese junk Aqua Luna, and it was his first time experiencing a harbour cruise in Hong Kong.
“When we’re doing business and we’re in our rooms negotiating, you don’t see how beautiful parts of the city are. But when you take a tour like this and you see all the buildings, you see the Hong Kong dream here. It’s beautiful,” he said.
Another group of 40 guests went on a tour to see Hong Kong from a different perspective with a tram ride to The Peak. Dr Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director of World Alliance of International Financial Centres, said: “The Asian Financial Forum is something for the mind, and the journey to the Peak, something to enjoy for the eyes – definitely something to be excited about.”
Felix Katterl, a partner at consultant Soutien Group in Qatar, was visiting Hong Kong for the first time and tried traditional fortune telling in Man Mo Temple and a visit to Tai Kwun Centre where there is also the former Victoria Prison which can host events.
“I think the area has been revitalised and developed in a wonderful way, with bars and restaurant available inside a monument, offering completely different perspectives,” said Katterl.
