The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Hong Kong Tourism Board launched last January 24 a new marketing campaign in Manila, called “Best of All, It’s in Hong Kong,” to highlight the diversity and quality of experiences the city has to offer to foreign visitors.
Four videos featuring well-known local personalities and Hong Kong’s stunning skyline and scenery showcase four areas representing the very best of the city—gourmet dining; fashion and entertainment; family adventures by land, sea and sky; and the Great Outdoors—that are introduced by locals who know the former British colony best.
“We want Filipino visitors to see, feel, and have a taste of the best Hong Kong can offer through the eyes of locals via this campaign. From the videos, Filipinos can discover the breathtaking intensity, surprising contrasts, rewarding variety, and captivating style within Hong Kong,” Hong Kong Tourism Board Deputy Executive Director Becky Ip said.
“This new brand campaign will take Hong Kong to new heights as a destination by connecting and inspiring Filipinos, especially young people and families, to travel to Hong Kong and experience the best and most authentic Hong Kong moments,” she added.
Culinary capital
A must-have experience for tourists in Hong Kong is its dining. The city boasts of diverse dining experiences, from those offered by unique local street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants. Hong Kong allows travelers to “eat” the entire world while in the city, making it a true “culinary capital of Asia.”
One thing that always connects Filipinos to Hong Kong is food. Asia’s Best Female Chef Margarita Forés attests to this, since her strong passion for the city has given her an opportunity to be part of the filming of the gourmet-dining video, and also inspired her to create a special menu that fuses Filipino and Hong Kong flavors.
“I am honored to be able to marry two of my favorite things, Hong Kong and my passion for cooking, and contribute to Hong Kong’s latest brand campaign,” Forés said.
“I hope that, through my specially created dishes, fellow Filipinos will be able to savor the best tastes and experiences Hong Kong has to offer, and discover Hong Kong to create their own unique authentic experience,” she added.
“For Filipinos, food means celebrations, togetherness and hospitality. It is no surprise (that) we keep flying to Hong Kong to enjoy an exciting variety of food options. Personally, I love exploring traditional dishes that reflect the heritage and cultures of Hong Kong,” the celebrated chef said.
Hong Kong is also Forés’ favorite destination because of its booming fashion scene. The city’s attractions also never fail to delight families, like the celebrated chef and her son, who used their visits to Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park to bond.
Forés expressed amazement about the lesser-known side of the city: its natural landscapes. Hong Kong has green mountains, beaches and outlying islands that are not only worth exploring, but also suitable for those leading a healthy lifestyle, like the celebrated chef.
Important market
The Philippines remains an important tourist market for Hong Kong; more than 700,000 Filipinos visit the city each year.
In 2016, Filipino-visitor arrivals recorded healthy double-digit growth, and this growth momentum is expected to continue. This shows that Hong Kong is still a very popular destination for Filipinos, particularly in celebrating occasions, enjoying theme parks, and attractions, shopping and café-hopping, as well as exploring outlying islands and embarking on hiking trips to appreciate the city’s scenic beauty.
For more information, visit discoverHongKong.com/best.