CSTB and HKTB Promote Individual Visit Scheme in Xi’an and Qingdao Partnering with Tourism Sector in the Two Cities to Create Bespoke Offers on Flights, Accommodations and Dining

HKTB arranged a press conference to promote its designated tourism programme in Xi’an	HKTB arranged a press conference to promote its designated tourism programme in Qingdao

Following the Central Government’s expansion of Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) to more Mainland cities, which include Xi'an in Shaanxi Province and Qingdao in Shandong Province, and Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Mr Kevin Yeung, Commissioner for Tourism Ms Vivian Sum, and Executive Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Mr Dane Cheng made a three-day visit to Xi’an and Qingdao, where they met with provincial officials of Shaanxi and Xi’an city officials, as well as provincial officials of Shandong and Qingdao city officials. During their visit, Mr Cheng and Mr Yeung also attended two briefing sessions arranged by HKTB to promote Hong Kong’s diversified tourism experiences to the local tourism sector and media. The two sessions attracted a total of over one hundred representatives from the media and industry to attend.

Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism, said, “We are very grateful for the Central Government's positive response to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's proposal of enhancing the IVS. With the number of eligible cities expanded to 51, this will be very conducive to the development of Hong Kong's tourism sector. We have at once launched publicity activities in the newly added cities, Xi'an and Qingdao, with a view to providing travellers from the two cities with quality services.

Mr Dane Cheng, Executive Director of HKTB, said , “Upon the Central Government’s announcement to expand the IVS to Xi’an, HKTB will further facilitate the market expansion in western and northern Mainland, starting with promotional campaigns that have already been launched in major shopping malls in Xi’an. In the following months, we will work with our travel partners to release the latest tourism product information, which will be complemented by a series of offers on flights, accommodations, attractions, dining and shopping. Qingdao is a renowned marine city in northern China, serving as a key international shipping hub in Northeast Asia with tremendous potential in the cultural tourism and consumer markets. Hong Kong has recently witnessed new travel trends, offering more and completely new check-in spots. I believe that friends from Qingdao visiting Hong Kong, whether it's their first time or they have been there multiple times before, will find a fresh and exciting experience.”

Travel agencies in Xi'an and Qingdao: "The itinerary for 'individual travel' is more flexible, and inquiries for Hong Kong tours have increased two to three times.” “We have already launched themed travel packages to Hong Kong."

After the expansion of IVS to Xi’an and Qingdao, travel agencies based in the two cities said that enquiries about individual travel packages to Hong Kong have increased by two to three times. Themed packages that interest customers most are those focusing on family fun, epicurean indulgence and Instagram-worthy hotspots, some travellers are also eager to find out about art and culture packages that include attractions such as Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+. Some travel agencies also shared that the IVS allows more flexibility on the itineraries, and a majority of customer enquiries currently come from young office workers.

Mr Feng Gao Xuan, Deputy General Manager of Xi’an Overseas Tourist Co., Ltd	Mr Song Shuo, Deputy General Manager of Shaanxi Yuntong International Travel Agency Co.,Ltd.

Citizens of Xi'an and Qingdao: "We hope to experience the vibrant nightlife of Hong Kong." "Hong Kong is an ideal place for experiencing both local and international cuisines."

A tourists from Xi’an said that the main difference between visiting Hong Kong with a tour group and via the IVS is the ability to take full control of the itinerary, with Hong Kong’s vibrant nightlife, he can enjoy a night out at the bar without having to wake up early the next day. Another nature-loving Xi’an tourist expressed that she has always been intrigued by Hong Kong’s ecological environment that is distinct from that in the Mainland, such fascination has ignited her desire for an immediate vacation to Hong Kong.

A food lover from Qingdao said that Hong Kong offers a wide variety of international cuisine that ranges from approachable local snacks to Michelin-starred fare, tourists are able to enjoy delectable feasts with distinctive flavours all day long.

Xi’an citizen Mr Zhang Jiang(left), Xi’an citizen Ms Yu Ting(right).				Qingdao residents Qiu Yuanyuan (left) and Qin Huiling (right).

Enhanced promotion by the HKTB aims to attract individual travellers from Xi'an and Qingdao to visit.

1. Hong Kong tourism promotional videos at well-known landmarks within Xi'an and Qingdao to showcase "Hong Kong welcomes you."

   To increase the awareness of Hong Kong tourism for residents in the two places, HKTB has enhanced its promotional efforts in Xi’an and Qingdao, where a video showcasing the charm of Hong Kong is being shown at famous landmarks, extending the warmest welcome to tourists from the two cities.

   
   

   Advertisement being displayed at a building in Xiao Zhai, Xi’an	Advertisement being displayed at Century Ginwa Shopping Center in Gaoxin District of Xi’an
   Qingdao Center	Qingdao Financial Center

1. Collaborating with the industry to promote Hong Kong-themed products and offers to attract travellers.

   To attract tourists from the two cities, HKTB has worked with airlines and travel agencies to design brand new tourism products such as in-depth art and culture tours as well as themed parent-child adventures. Other highlights include buy-one-get-one-free flight deals and airport transfer offers; complimentary tickets to attractions such as Ocean Park and Hong Kong Palace Museum provided by selected travel agencies; travel packages with perks like complimentary hotel breakfast and the three must-have items for visiting Hong Kong - Octopus Card, internet sim card and travel adapter - will also be on offer to entice tourists.

   
   

   

2. Joining hands with over 2,000 merchants to give away dining and shopping offers to individual travellers from Xi'an and Qingdao

   Starting from 1 April, HKTB has joined hands with over 80 retail brands (as of 12 March 2024) around town to launch a designated programme offering shopping deals to IVS travellers from Xi’an and Qingdao. Individual traveller will be entitled to two discount vouchers valued at HK$100 each. Applicable in over 2,000 shops in Hong Kong, each voucher can be used upon every HK$200 of purchase for an instant discount of HK$100.

   The additions of Xi’an and Qingdao have brought the number of Mainland cities included under the IVS to 51. With more and more cities eligible for the scheme, HKTB will continue to ride on the emerging opportunities and attract more Mainland tourists by enhancing their experience with various large-scale events. HKTB will also invite representatives from influential publications, television stations, radio stations, as well as KOLs based in both places to visit Hong Kong and recommend the latest attractions from their first-hand experience, injecting continuous dynamic into the tourism industry of Hong Kong.