HKTB Welcomes the First Trade Delegation from 8 New Individual Visit Scheme Applicable Cities with a Customised Familiarisation Trip to Encourage the Development of New Products and Jointly Promote Hong Kong to Attract Visitors

Following the Central Government’s expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) welcomed the first trade delegation with a five-day familiarisation trip from 2 to 6 June. The delegation consisted of trade members from eight new IVS-applicable cities, namely Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi. HKTB aimed to help the delegation explore Hong Kong’s unique cultural and tourism experiences and open up these new visitor source markets, thereby providing opportunities for the local tourism industry.

Ms Becky Ip, HKTB Deputy Executive Director, said, “The Mainland has always been the most important source market for Hong Kong’s tourism industry and continues to have great potential. Leveraging the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), HKTB proactively invites members of the Mainland travel trade to visit Hong Kong to experience the latest and most popular travel experiences, encouraging them to design innovative travel products and packages to jointly promote Hong Kong as a preferred destination for Mainland IVS visitors and boost the city’s tourism sector and overall economy.”

Delegates get a taste of Citywalk in Hong Kong

Mainland trade: Hong Kong is full of diverse tourism appeal

HKTB organised a five-day, four-night familiarisation trip to welcome the delegation with a unique experience of Hong Kong’s tourism appeal and encourage them to better develop and promote tourism products for Hong Kong. When the delegation arrived in Hong Kong, they were greeted by Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, Commissioner for Tourism, and Ms Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director of HKTB at HKTB’s visitor centres at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Hong Kong International Airport with welcoming souvenirs.

Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, Commissioner for Tourism, and Ms Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director of HKTB, greet the arriving delegation, which consists of trade partners and media representatives from the eight new IVS-applicable cities, showcasing Hong Kong’s hospitality.

The itinerary arranged by HKTB also includes various all-time-favourite and popular arts and cultural attractions, such as the Peak, theme parks, M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum. The delegation also visited Central in a Citywalk and took an open-top sight-seeing bus and the Peak Tram to explore Hong Kong’s authentic culture from various perspectives.

The group takes the Peak Tram to the Peak and enjoys the view along the journey	The group takes a sight-seeing bus tour around famous attractions around Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
The group enjoys their time at the Peak with the famous scenic Hong Kong skyline.	The group visits the Centre for Heritage and Arts in Tai Kwun

Direct Hong Kong-Harbin flights and the expansion of the IVS bring new tourism opportunities

Along with the expansion of the IVS, direct Hong Kong-Harbin flights have been established. Ms Huang Ning, Deputy General Manager of a Harbin travel agency, expressed her confidence that these arrangements will bring new momentum to the tourism market and foster economic, tourism and cultural exchanges between the cities. Huang noted that connectivity is of the utmost importance for tourism development. Compared with the previous trips where travellers need to change flights, the new arrangements have substantially reduced the time cost for travellers, allowing them to go on a trip whenever they want. She said that her company has received many inquiries from clients in Harbin expressing an interest in visiting Hong Kong via the IVS. “The idea of having breakfast in Harbin and enjoying afternoon tea in Hong Kong is no longer a dream,” she said.

First-hand enjoyment of Hong Kong’s unique characteristics

Ms Zhen Jie, Deputy General Manager of a travel agency in Lanzhou, explained that this was her first time in Hong Kong, which made it an unprecedented experience. Coming from an inland area, Zhen was amazed at the world-renowned view of Victoria Harbour. She expects that with the commission of new arts and cultural attractions and its unique, scenic Harbour, Hong Kong can greatly enrich and diversify the visitor experience and satisfy the needs of different segments, thus attracting more Mainland visitors to come for a first-hand experience.

HKTB to boost Hong Kong’s popularity as a tourism destination in partnership with the Mainland trade and social media portals

As the total number of IVS-applicable cities to Hong Kong has increased to 59, HKTB will continue to step up promotions by inviting trade partners, celebrities and media from different markets to come and experience Hong Kong’s appeal in person to broadcast the city’s appeal to a wider audience and maximise the benefits of tourism to the broader economy. HKTB distributed about 30,000 discount coupons worth HK$200 each through travel agents and airlines to travellers from Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan, Urumqi, Qingdao and Xi’an, the new cities recently added to the IVS. HKTB has also organised briefings for the travel trade to promote special itineraries for visitors under the IVS and is cooperating with Kuaishou, a popular video platform in the Mainland, by inviting KOLs to produce short contents on Hong Kong tourism to generate positive publicity. HKTB will also continue to stage various mega events to enrich the visitor experience in town.