Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #39

ASIA / PACIFIC INBOUND
TRENDING DESTINATIONS
Hotel & Tourism
SMARTreport #39
2018 Summer Edition 33
HONG KONG
WINE & DINE
PARADISE
Primarily known as a high-end wine merchant
in Hong Kong, Paulo Pong is Chairman of
the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Product and
Events Committee. We asked him why he
was chosen for the position…
For my knowledge of wine and food. I established
Altaya Wines 2001 as a boutique wholesale wine
merchant and I am also the co-founder of restaurant
business Classified Group. I have sat on the board of
the Hong Kong Tourism Board for four years and it
needed my help.
Hong Kong is the event capital of Asia, with
events such as the Dragon Boat Festival, which
takes place every June. What kind of events are
attracting tourists in the second part of the year?
Not to be missed is of course the Wine & Dine Festival
which will run from October 25-28. The 10th edition
of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival brings together
world-class food, drinks and entertainment right next
to the stunning Victoria Harbour skyline. Aside from
wine-pairing meals designed by master chefs and
tasting classes by industry experts, there will be more
than 400 booths featuring everything from single
malts to craft beer to keep your palate refreshed. We
have events almost every month in Hong Kong
Paulo
Pong
Chairman, Product
and Events Committee,
Hong Kong Tourism
Board
HONG KONG
GOING FROM STRENGTH
TO STRENGTH AS A
GLOBAL MICE HUB
What are the key assets of HK as a business destination
and how is business tourism developing in Hong
Kong? We put the question to Anthony Lau, Executive
Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board.
With its strategic location,
safe and business friendly
environment, visa-free policy for
visitors from over 170 countries
and regions, and superb
aviation connectivity with the
region’s key financial markets,
Hong Kong is recognised as
the world’s premier meetings,
incentive, conventions and
exhibitions (MICE) destination
and business hub of Asia. Last
year, we welcomed nearly two
million MICE visitors to Hong
Kong, representing a 2%
increase from the previous year.
What could change the face
of tourism here?
Before the end of 2018, we
will see the completion and
Anthony
Lau
Executive Director,
Hong Kong Tourism Board
commencement of operations
of two major infrastructure
projects – the Hong Kong–
Zhuhai–Macao Bridge and the
Express Rail Link Hong Kong
Section – which will put Hong
Kong within one hour’s reach
of the Greater Bay Area and
connected with the 20,000kmlong
national high-speed rail
network, which covers most
major mainland cities.
These exciting developments
will further strengthen Hong
Kong’s unrivalled position as the
super-connector to the highgrowth
Mainland China market
and reinforce the city’s edge
as the premier business hub in
Asia