The Hong Kong government’s Tourism is Everywhere policy is driving the use of district resources to create unique tourism products, aiming for in-depth pre- and post-conference tour experiences across the city.
Travel operators are adapting to the shift toward experiential travel for both inbound visitors.
Kam Wai Travel’s managing director, Frankie Lam, says the policy is spurring new in-depth tours. He notes that local districts, once resistant to tourism, are now “more active” post-pandemic19. Kam Wai is collaborating with local organisations to offer workshops for corporate visitors, such as Wing Chun martial arts classes.
Over in Lei Yue Mun, Ambition Travel is packaging experiences beyond the traditional seafood meal. For instance, Lei Yue Mun partner with restaurants for fresh seafood picking secrets, and a local bakery for Chinese cookie workshops.
The company’s inbound/outbound manager Kenji Tsang said “traditional sightseeing” is outdated, prompting them to create experiential workshops that offer a peek into local culture.
While supporting the policy’s expansion of product scope, Momentous Asia Travel & Events general manager, Doris Lam, called for more government support in the form of better coordination and tour guide training.
Last month, the Travel Industry Council demonstrated a potential itinerary: a half-day trip to the eastern waters of Victoria Harbour. The route included a double-decker bus ride from Central, a visit to the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, a ferry to Lei Yue Mun for a seafood meal, and a tour of villages and heritage sites. The trip also showcased the government’s newly-completed waterfront enhancement project in Lei Yue Mun, which adds street art, new viewing platforms, and a pier.
