Hong Kong Food And Wine Festival!

Monday, October 26, 2009, 15:13

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will stage the "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events" from 30 October to 8 November 2009, presenting a tantalising experience of fine wine, cuisine and entertainment for visitors and local residents. The anchor event will be a three-day "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival". Not only can participants taste approximately 300 brands of wines from 15 "old world" and "new world" countries, as well as over 150 local food items, but they can also enjoy Hong Kong"s first-ever, outdoor 3D multimedia show, a large-scale art installation by local artists, and an array of live performances with different themes.

Mr James Tien, Chairman of the HKTB, said: "Hong Kong enjoys a longstanding reputation for its cuisine, which is indeed its core tourism appeal. Leveraging on the exemption of wine duty by the Government, the HKTB has designated 2009 as the Hong Kong Food and Wine Year. In organising this first-ever Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events, we aim to showcase to visitors our delectable offerings, and reinforce our standing as a gourmet paradise. Through collaboration with our travel-trade partners in various source markets, especially in the short-haul and Mainland markets, we"ve put together a series of package tours and itineraries themed on the cuisine and wine in Hong Kong, which we hope will stimulate travellers" desire to visit Hong Kong, and in turn create greater business opportunities for our travel and related sectors."

Mr Tien continued, "The HKTB has invited about 250 trade partners and media from various source markets, including both long- and short-haul markets, to join the Spotlight Events. As well as giving them first-hand experience of our wide selection of cuisine and wine, we hope to generate further international exposure for our city. We"ve co-operated with our trade partners to arrange for about 4,000 visitors to participate in the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival. As for in-town visitors, the HKTB is actively promoting this 10-day celebration through various channels, encouraging the active participation of both visitors and local residents."

American Express International, Inc, will be the presenting sponsor of the 10-day "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events". Mr Y C Koh, Chief Executive Officer, Greater China & Southeast Asia of American Express, said, "American Express is honoured to participate in the Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events as the Presenting Sponsor. The HKTB has been a long-term strategic partner of American Express. I would like to thank the HKTB for their leadership and initiative in promoting and maintaining Hong Kong"s reputation as a culinary capital. We are committed to our partnership with the HKTB in bringing the best of the best to the people in Hong Kong and overseas travellers."

Mr Koh continued, "As the Presenting Sponsor of the Event, American Express will also provide exclusive privileges to our cardmembers from both local and overseas to enjoy the programme. It is our sincere hope that this programme will evolve into something even bigger and better each year."

The "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events" will comprise of four key elements: (1) the "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival", which is the first-ever, large-scale outdoor fine wine and gourmet event; (2) street carnivals organised by two major food districts; (3) a sparkling array of activities put together by the catering and tourism sectors; and (4) a series of wining and dining offers.