ETW Staff– Mumbai
India has emerged as the largest new market in Hong Kong, registering a healthy year-on-year increase of around five per cent from 2012 with a total of 434,648 arrivals. These figures were achieved through an increase of short-haul arrivals by 3.4 per cent and overnight arrivals by 5.8 per cent.
Based on the arrival figures recently announced by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Hong Kong emphatically reinforced its reputation as one of the leading tourism destinations in 2013 with visitor arrivals reaching a record high of 54.3 million, 11.7 per cent year-on-year increase. Hong Kong’s traditional core visitor markets, new and emerging markets including India, Russia, Vietnam and GCC countries enjoyed strong growth in 2013. Arrivals from these markets as a whole were up eight per cent compared to 2012.
Anthony Lau, executive director, HKTB, said, “In recent years, the HKTB has increased investments to develop new markets in order to broaden our visitor base and to maintain a balanced visitor portfolio. We will continue to heavy up our promotions in new markets in 2014, including India, to maintain our powerful growth momentum. These efforts lay the foundations for long-term growth, and we will keep a close watch on emerging markets with potential for the Hong Kong tourism industry.”
The HKTB’s primary target cities are Mumbai and New Delhi, though resources will also be deployed in cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The HKTB will roll out marketing activities to explain the excellent value of a Hong Kong vacation and showcase the cosmopolitanism and variety that makes the city an option for Indian visitors. It will also promote multi-destination itineraries with Macau and Shenzhen, and partner with cruise lines to promote cruise travel that includes stopovers in Hong Kong.
