Hong Kong Cyclothon and Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival Cancelled
Enrolment fee and participation fee to be fully refunded
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced today the cancellation of this year’s Hong Kong Cyclothon (13 October 2019) and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival (31 October to 3 November 2019).
HKTB Chairman Dr YK Pang said, “The decision to cancel the Hong Kong Cyclothon and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival was certainly not an easy one. The two events enjoy huge popularity among local residents and visitors, and great support from local and international partners, sponsors and exhibitors. However, in view of unforeseen circumstances in the coming weeks, it would be challenging to us to ensure the smooth running of the two events, so we have decided to cancel both of the mega events.”
Dr Pang thanked all the partners, sponsors, supporting organisations and exhibitors involved, as well as local residents and visitors, for their support. The HKTB sincerely apologises for all the inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the events.
Reasons for cancelling the Hong Kong Cyclothon and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival
The planned programme of Hong Kong Cyclothon featured various public cycling activities, and both local and international professional races, including “Hammer Hong Kong”, the final stop of the esteemed “Hammer Series”.
In the light of recent protests in Hong Kong, the organiser of the “Hammer Series” has decided to cancel “Hammer Hong Kong”, originally scheduled on 13 October, given the likelihood of the event not being conducted smoothly. The HKTB has explored the chance of postponing the event, but since it is now the end of the season for international cycling races, most top-class cyclists will soon be taking a season break. Although “Hammer Hong Kong” will be cancelled, the current “Hammer Series” season will not be held in other places outside Hong Kong, so the results of the two previous races will be used to calculate the final score for this season.
The routes for two other important rides in the Hong Kong Cyclothon, the 50km ride and the 30km ride, cover a number of major roads, tunnels and bridges. If there are any protests taking place prior to the event, the related roads may not be cleared in time, which would affect the timely completion of the road closures and set-up of the cycling routes and event venue, and would subsequently hinder the smooth running of the event.
Regarding the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, the HKTB gives first priority to the safety of the participants, exhibitors and staff members. There have been frequent protests near the event venue (the Central Harbourfront Event Space). Given the large number of participants of the event, in case of any conflicts in the vicinity, it would be difficult to ensure all the participants leave the venue safely within a short time.
With due consideration given to these factors, the HKTB decided to cancel the two mega events.
Dr Pang added,“The HKTB has started working with the organiser of the “Hammer Series” on “Hammer Hong Kong”in next year’s Hong Kong Cyclothon. As regards to the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, depending on the feasibility of an appropriate time and venue, we are diligently exploring the possibility of organising a similar event in the first half of next year for locals and visitors to enjoy this highly anticipated culinary event twice next year.”
Refund arrangements
All Hong Kong Cyclothon participants will get full refund of their enrolment fee by the end of November 2019. In addition, they will enjoy a 20% discount on the enrolment fee if they join the event next year.
Similarly, all exhibitors of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival will be refunded in full and will enjoy a 20% discount on the participation fee for next year’s event. Later, the HKTB will conduct a “Hong Kong Great November Feast” promotion to showcase the great variety of gastronomic experiences in Hong Kong to locals and visitors, and plan to feature the exhibitors of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival in the promotion. Details will be announced in due course.
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