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The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) conducted in Berlin a business breakfast briefing yesterday (March 11, Berlin time) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), Berlin, of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on the occasion of the International Tourism Exchange Berlin (ITB Berlin).
The breakfast briefing was attended by Government officials, diplomats and more than 100 guests from hotel and tourism organisations from Germany and Hong Kong, representatives of major German enterprises, as well as chambers of commerce and industry, and the media.
The Executive Director of the HKTB, Mr Anthony Lau, gave a briefing on the Hong Kong tourism industry's competitive edge, outlining its strategy in promoting tourism in the years to come, as well as the forthcoming "Festive Hong Kong 2010".
"'Festive Hong Kong 2010' is an exciting year-long sequence of festivals and events offering a diverse assortment of traditional Chinese festivals and Western cultural celebrations. It will be an enriching and unforgettable experience," Mr Lau said.
In addition, the HKTB's General Manager (Business Development), Mr Patrick Kwok, said that as Hong Kong is located at the heart of Asia, multi-destination travel via Hong Kong is highly recommended. Tourism is one of Hong Kong's pillar industries. In 2010, Hong Kong is expected to receive over 30 million visitors from all over the world.
Director of HKETO, Berlin, Mr Stephen Kai Wong, made a presentation about Expo 2010 Shanghai China and Hong Kong's Pavilion.
"Hong Kong will have a strong presence at the Shanghai Expo. In addition to visiting the Hong Kong Pavilion in Shanghai, visitors are invited to make a 'one journey, multiple stops' trip, that is, to stop over in Hong Kong before or after visiting Shanghai as part of their long journey," Mr Wong said.
The Hong Kong Pavilion is a stand-alone three-level construction with a total floor area of about 1,400 square metres. The theme is "Hong Kong -- Potential Unlimited". With a signature design of a huge transparent void in the middle, the pavilion symbolises Hong Kong where people can move and think freely without constraints or barriers. "It represents a city confined by its physical boundaries but opened up to reveal the infinite potential within", Mr Wong added.
Hong Kong is also represented in the Urban Best Practices Area Exhibition (UBPA). With the theme "Smart CardĦESmart CityĦESmart Life", the exhibition demonstrates Hong Kong's high-quality urban life and its leading position as a city of creativity through the demonstration of its successful experience in the extensive use of smart card technology in daily life.
"The existing applications of smart cards have made life easier, safer and more efficient for millions of people in Hong Kong in areas such as shopping, public transport, Autotoll System, marking school attendance, automated booking of sports and leisure facilities and even immigration clearance. The use of smart cards is highlighting Hong Kong's unique strength in connectivity and innovation", Mr Wong explained.
With more than 180,000 visitors and over 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries, ITB Berlin is the biggest tourism fair and the leading platform for trade visitors in the field of leisure and business travel. It provides an opportunity for business partners to learn new trends and concepts, discuss co-operation possibilities as well as deepen existing business relations. In 2009, sales at ITB Berlin totalled about 5 billion euros.
Ends/Friday, March 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:55
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