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While official guests to the Fortune Global Forum were winging their way to Hong Kong today (May 8), the early birds who arrived in the past few days took advantage of an array of tours organised by the Forum's host sponsor, Invest Hong Kong.

It was an action packed day with Forum guests taking either a cruise to Lamma Island, a tour of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, a Chinese cooking demonstration, or a visit to the Cathay Pacific City.

For many it was their first visit to Hong Kong; for others they were able to see parts of Hong Kong not normally on the tourist map.

At the Hong Kong Heritage Museum they were introduced to the history and skills of bamboo scaffolding in the museum's courtyard. They were then taken on tours of the New Territories Heritage Hall, the Cantonese Opera Hall and the T.T. Tsui Hall.

Those out to improve their cooking finesse went to the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute in Pok Fu Lam, where they attended classes in the preparation of sweet and sour prawns, minced chicken served with ice-berg lettuce, and deep fried sesame balls. The hot weather attracted most of the visitors to Lamma island aboard the modernised junk, Noble House. And once there they enjoyed what Lamma is well known for - its seafood. They also toured Sok Kwu Wan and visited to local Tin Hau Temple. For those who enjoyed the high life, Cathay Pacific conducted tours of its training facilities and flight simulator.

"Hong Kong is already renowned the world over as a first class business city. The cultural programme is a wonderful opportunity to showcase its other assets," said the Director General of Investment Promotion, Mr. Mike Rowse.

"Hong Kong has a unique blend of Chinese and Western traditions, a fascinating history and a stunning natural environment," he added. Mr Rowse is head of Invest Hong Kong charged with attracting inward investment to Hong Kong.

End/Tuesday, May 8, 2001

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