HKJC supports WTCF Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit closing ceremony

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) supports the closing ceremony of the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit at Happy Valley Racecourse to promote horse racing tourism and reinforce the city’s position as an international tourism hub.

The Summit – the first time Hong Kong co-hosted with the WTCF -- was held from April 14 to 17 with the theme “Innovative City Branding Elevates Tourism Excellence.” It offered a platform for around 800 local and international guests from over 40 countries and more than 60 cities to exchange views and reinforce cooperation on tourism development.

“Horse racing has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s cultural identity for over a century,” Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Suk-pui said Wednesday (Apr 16) when officiating at the closing ceremony. “It is a sport and so much more, with the Club further enriching racing with cultural experiences, culinary delights and entertainment.” 

She added that HKJC is also crafting a series of distinctive and attractive tourism products and projects to showcase Hong Kong’s uniqueness and diversity in new and exciting ways.

HKJC chairman Michael Lee Tze-hau congratulated the hosts and organizer on the Summit’s success and emphasized the unique experience of Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing not only attracts visitors from around the world but also enhances the city’s status as a global hub for cultural exchange and cooperation.

Other attendees at the ceremony included Secretary-General of the WTCF Guo Huaigang; Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board Peter Lam Kin-ngok and HKJC Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

Horse racing tourism was mentioned in the recent Policy Address and included in the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau’s Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0. 

HKJC also signed a memorandum of understanding with China Travel Service Hong Kong last month to jointly promote horse racing tourism, cultural exchange and youth development between Hong Kong and the mainland.