‘In-depth tourism’ a government focus, says culture chief

Hong Kong’s culture chief Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Tuesday that the city will continue to enhance various tourist facilities, including supporting the industry in developing in-depth travel to allow travelers to experience Hong Kong's unique culture and vibrancy.

His comments came as the city’s Travel Industry Council announced the results of a "Deeper into Hong Kong: Creative Itinerary Design Competition”. 

The competition has received nearly 700 entries from 135 travel agencies, with six of them selected as "Supreme Itineraries" across the different themes, including "Great Green Escapes", "Fun Water Adventure", "Legacy of Joy", "HK Pop Culture", "Journey Through National History", and "Unconventional Journey."

TIC Chairman Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun said among the selected "Supreme Itineraries", there are options for travelers to spend a night on a fishing raft, showcasing a different side of Hong Kong.

There are also routes themed around buildings from different eras, highlighting Hong Kong's unique melding of Eastern and Western influences, she said.

Wong hopes that by combining in-depth tourism with the mega cultural, sports, and tourist events, a brand effect could be generated, thus, extending the duration of visitors' stay in Hong Kong and stimulating consumption, bringing new attractions to travelers, and driving economic development. 

Speaking at the award ceremony, culture chief Yeung said as tourists shift their traveling preferences from the traditional "touch-and-go" style of sightseeing, eating, and shopping to a focus on cultural exchange through in-depth tourism, there has been a demand for in-depth travel routes that allows them to understand one place’s history, green ecology, blue resources, and traditional and trendy culture.

Authorities will continue to support the industry in developing the distinctive advantages of in-depth tourism, allowing travelers to experience the unique cultural vibrancy of Hong Kong, he added.