TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) organized a Hong Kong MICE travel mission in Tokyo and Osaka on the occasion of the first anniversary of establishing its MEHK (Meeting & Event Hong Kong) specialized in MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Congress and Event). On February 26, the seminar and workshop were held in Tokyo. 27 tourism delegations including convention facilities, hotels and local tour operators from Hong Kong participated in the event and elaborated on the respective sales points. Albert Tang, Representative, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), mentioned during the welcome address that a construction of high-speed railways started in January this year, expressing his high expectation that the high-speed railway services should help make new travel plans featuring the respective counties in China as well as Hong Kong.

During the seminar, Go Furuya, Senior Marketing Executive East Japan, HKTB made presentations, revealing that a variety of “food” in Hong Kong is absolutely a top feature item and gets increased attention especially after the “Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau” was issued last year. Also, Hong Kong will see in the latter part of this year a completion of the International Commerce Centre (ICC Tower), which will be the world’s third tallest building with 118 stories. By the end of 2011, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel will be located in ICC Tower. 1881 Heritage which was opened last year offers excellent shopping, dining and other facilities, enriched with sophisticated services. On the other hand, there have been an increasing number of inquiries about nature experiences. Furuya explained about activities enabling visitors to Hong Kong to have contact with nature that include the pink dolphin-watching, tree-planting and volunteer work. As the Hong Kong government allocates a part of the profits from these activities to the conservation of nature, he said that the visitors to Hong Kong can also contribute to society while they enjoy experiencing nature.

Some companies decided already during the workshop to hold MICE in Hong Kong. An event of several thousands of people is said to have been planned during this year. Kunio Kano, Regional Director-North Asia, HKTB, reminded that “Japan-Hong Kong Tourism Exchange Year 2009” has been prolonged until March this year, hoping that the travel industry will also take full advantage of the extension in promoting MICE.

Source: Travel Vision

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