Hong Kong: Favorite Asian destination of Pinoy travelers

Whether its a first-time traveler planning an

out-of-country vacation or a seasoned one, a Pinoy

would always have Hong Kong as the top-of-mind

destination. Not even the 1997 handover to China

diminished the charm of this once British Crown

Colony dubbed by tourists as the playground of

any citizen of this world.

But what does it have that makes the Filipino traveler

keep coming back? Twenty eight-yearold Caroline

Mapalo, who manages her own travel agency, Global

Wings Inc., explains: The lure is, its the nearest and

least expensive place which has the most to offer the

fun-loving Filipinos. She also listed and explained some

of the things Hong Kong offers that have been irresistible

to the Filipinos:

Visitor-friendly. Almost always, obtaining a

visitors visa upon arrival is no problem to

travelers. A maximum two-week permit to stay is

commonly granted to those who come to Hong

Kong as tourists. Likewise, theres also a wide

variety of Hong Kong packaged tours (which

include round-trip airfare and hotel

accommodations) that are very affordable even for

travelers on a shoestring budget.

Shopping. Many Filipinos who have been there

couldnt agree more: Hong Kong is the ultimate

shoppers paradise. In fact, the fun isnt so much

on the wide array of designer brands or items on

sale but on the adventure of going from one

shopping district to another. One of the most

popular shopping spots Filipinos never miss is the

night market in Mongkok where our prodigious

bargaining skills often prevail.

Dining and Nightlife. Name any cuisine and Hong

Kong is sure to have one. The night scene is most

bustling that Hong Kong was once voted by

travelers as the no. 1 nightlife city in the world. It

boasts a place for night entertainment for almost

all types of people.

World-class entertainment. A complete stay in

Hong Kong means visiting the world- renowned

Ocean Park whose marine life attraction and rides

never fail to enthrall its visitors from all over the

world.