Indian arrivals set new record
Mohit Rathod – Mumbai
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is aiming to strengthen its focus on the MICE and leisure segments from India. Recently, Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK), MICE division of HKTB, honoured top Indian travel agents for their contribution to Indian MICE activities in Hong Kong, through Top Agents Award Programme (TAAP). Peter Hoslin, regional director for Europe and new markets, HKTB, informed that HKTB will conduct Travel Mission, a multi-city promotional event, in August 2016 in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
Commenting on MICE activities, Hoslin said, “MICE is very important for us. We had an award ceremony last week, which recognised top Indian travel agents that contributed to MICE activities in Hong Kong. We also have a range of rewards and training programmes for travel agents. We have more than doubled the assistance for travel agents in 2015. We have also observed that more Indian travel agents are selling Hong Kong packages.”
Hoslin, who has come on a 10-day visit to India, will meet Indian travel fraternity to promote Hong Kong as MICE and leisure destination. Along with rewards, special assistance and training programmes, HKTB currently has a dedicated website for the travel trade, partnernet.hktb.com, which allows travel agents to partner with HKTB.
Indian arrivals to Hong Kong has set a new record in 2015, with 53,1770 Indian travellers visiting Hong Kong, bringing India among the top 10 in Hong Kong’s inbound tourism and at par with the UK. Speaking on this, Hoslin, said, “2015 was a great year for Hong Kong tourism. We hit a new record of 53,1770 Indian visitors. Our efforts directed towards trade partners and consumers have contributed a lot to this result. We have a strong partnership with the Indian travel trade.”
