Hong Kong Tourism Board
In conversation with… Dawn Page, Director, UK & Northern Europe, Hong Kong Tourism Board
QWhat’s
the Hong Kong Travel Mission?
A: We bring members of the Hong Kong travel trade over to London to showcase what the destination has to offer and this year we welcomed 45 members. It’s a great way for hoteliers and tour operators to network and create new contacts with the UK market.
QHow
does the Hong Kong Tourism Board work with the trade?
A: The UK is Hong
Kong’s biggest market in Europe. Last year we welcomed 573,000 UK visitors, which is up
3% on 2017, we hope to continue this growth in
2019 via face-to-face agent training and our Hong Kong Specialist training programme.
QTell
us about the training programme
A: Hong Kong Specialist is our online training programme designed for travel agents to give them the necessary knowledge to promote Hong Kong effectively. The programme provides up-todate training materials and information on major attractions, events and festivals.
The tailored modules focus on the different districts and the lesser-known areas.
Agents who successfully complete Hong Kong Specialist become members of the Hong Kong Specialist Club, a loyalty programme offering exclusive benefits ranging from special hotel room rates to free entry to attractions.
Members of the Hong Kong Specialist Club can apply for a complimentary welcome pack when visiting Hong Kong containing a Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM Card (five-Day Pass), an MTR Tourist Day Pass and discounts on attractions. There’s also the chance to secure a place on our annual Hong Kong Specialist Club FAM.
QWhat’s
surprising about Hong Kong?
A: Most people associate Hong Kong with the iconic city skyline, but 70% of the region is actually green, so great for outdoor pursuits. Clients can go for a hike in the afternoon and be back to watch the sunset over the city. We also have 260 outlying islands so a big focus for us is showcasing the amazing neighbourhoods and islandhopping opportunities if you venture out.
Another focus this year is the Sham Shui Po district just north of Boundary Street, known for its open-air street markets and tantalising street food, and shoppers will get their fix with the variety of electronic goods and cheap but delicious snacks.
Food is very important and Hong Kong has one of the world’s cheapest Michelin Star restaurants.
QWhat’s
new?
A: The new Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge opened at the end of last year after 10 years in the making! As the world’s longest bridge and tunnel sea crossing, it increases accessibility if clients wish to venture on.
The Rosewood opened this March and Hong Kong Disneyland is in the middle of a six-year expansion programme with new attractions including Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle, which has just opened. •