Upon arriving at Chek Lap Kok Airport, we were met by HKTB tour coordinator May Shih at the Arrival Hall. And because we have a full schedule ahead of us, we were whisked to Best Western Rosedale Hotel at Causeway Bay for check-in, then went to HKTB head office for a briefing.
HKTB’s corporate communications executive Alice Li gave us an overview of the safety measures they are implementing even after its delisting and of course, their ambitious “Global Tourism Revival Campaign.”
This campaign, under the banner “Hong Kong Welcomes You” was already launched last July 13, which coincided with the BOAO World Tourism Organization (WTO) Forum, and will run until September.
Dubbed as the “Welcome Month,” the two-month long event aims to lure back travelers with irresistible air and hotel offers, a series of special dining and shopping privileges, plus a chance to participate in the city-wide HK Super Draw wherein at stake is more than HK$15 million worth of prizes. Cathay Pacific Airways is currently offering a Hong Kong trip package for as low as $134.
More than 60 merchants joined in giving visitors special value-added offerings in dining, shopping, tours and attractions. The “Welcome Passports,” which is packed with fantastic offers, are distributed together with the “Welcome Packs” at ports of entry, HKTB Visitor Information and Services Center and through travel trade partners. Offers include buy-one-get-one free for main courses at 11 restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong, visitor menus in Best of the Best award-winning restaurants, train tickets from airport to downtown, admission to Teddy Bear Kingdom and The Peak Tower, free passes for six museums, 50 percent off on labor cost for pure gold jewelry, HK$50 rebate for every HK$1,000 spent on jewelry, and special gifts upon purchase.
The two-day launch of “Welcome Day” (Aug. 2-3) will see HK extending its warmest welcome to overseas VIP guests from travel trade and media, tourists and prize winners of “HK Welcomes You” consumer promos.
Along with “Welcome Day,” the “Mega Events Series” will also be held until March 31, 2004. These events will ride on HK’s unique harbor and lighting, showcasing the city’s energy and vibrancy. A first-of-its-kind laser and musical show at Wanchai Waterfront called “Strato Fantasia” and a pyrotechnic effects will be shown nightly until Sept. 15.
For the whole month of September, a MidAutumn Lantern Celebration will be held at the HK Cultural Center and Victoria Park which includes a unique Wishing Lantern Trail, Lantern Wonderland and Fire Dragon Dance. Other events include the HK Winterfest (Nov.-Dec.); International Chinese New Year Night Parade (Jan. 22, 2004) and the pre-launch of the “Avenue of Stars,” much like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on March 2004.
Chong added that the Campaign had gained enthusiastic support from industry partners. The hotels, led by Hotels Association executive director James Lu, have united together to launch a global “Be Our Guest” campaign, offering one night’s stay free for every two purchased.
Best Western, designed as a Cyber Boutique Hotel, is conveniently situated in the heart of Causeway Bay, the most exciting business, shopping and entertainment hub. The famous Victoria Harbour and the exotic lush Victoria Park are just across the hotel.
Café Deco not only boasts of a delicious international menu of Asian and Western cuisine, including burgers, pizza, sushi, oysters, curries, salads and noodles, but also a unique Art Deco ambiance, having the largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia ever assembled in one roof. Over 40 chefs from 6 different countries prepare the food. We also met the reception manager Laida Oareza, a 35-year-old mother of two from Quezon Province, who has been working for the restaurant for 11 years.
We also ate at equally famous restaurants such as Jade Garden, a Chinese dim sum restaurant; Tai Woo Seafood Restaurant, winner of the Best of the Best Culinary Award; and Cheena Elite Restaurant at Best Western (I love their watermelon soup). “Only the best for us,” said May Shih, who never failed to amuse us with her stories, wit and candor.
The Ripley’s Odditorium is a 7,500 sq. ft. museum with 11 themed galleries featuring over 450 amazing and unusual exhibits from a shrunken human head to a headless hen and some primitive tribal customs from 190 countries. One of the more bizarre displays was the mummified body of a monk named Chang Tung who died in 1690 and was preserved and used as a floor lamp at Pu-To Shan temple in China. Another mind-blowing feat is the Toothpick Eiffel Tower, a stunning 7-meter model of the famous Paris landmark built from 100,000 toothpicks by a certain Joe King of California, USA.
Madame Tussaud’s is the closest I can get to the most famous celebrities and personalities in the world, and I actually consumed two rolls of film for these wax models (poor, pathetic me). The museum’s seven exhibition halls feature over a 100 life-like portraits of celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan, Naomi Campbell, Madonna, Jackie Chan, Princess Diana and David Beckham.
And since its the Mega Hong Kong Sale (which runs yearly from June 15 to Aug. 31), the rest of our two evenings here were devoted to shopping. The screaming neon signs, bustling sidewalk shops and noisy night bazaars all seem designed to induce spending.
From Harbour City, one of its largest malls with over 700 shops; to the Chinese artifacts, souvenirs and toys of Stanley Market and Temple Street Night Market; and the haggler’s haven Granville Road and Ladies Market, where you’ll be able to slash prices down by 40 percent…Shops here are full of stuff you know you really don’t need, but want to buy anyway.
So when you leave for HK, be sure to allot an extra room in your luggage, trust me, you’ll need it.
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