Top Tourist Destination Overview guest experience with new themed showcases Hong Kong’s great wining and With a unique blend of East and West, areas, attractions and entertainment dining attractions, enhancing the city’s offerings. The much-anticipated “Iron old and new, Hong Kong is one of Asia’s status as the culinary capital of Asia. Man Experience” and the “Disney top tourist destinations. From high-end Explorers Lodge” resort-style hotel were shopping malls to bustling street Asia’s Top MICE Destination launched in 2017. The construction bazaars, ancient Chinese temples to Hong Kong is Asia’s premier Meetings, works for the new attractions under the towering skyscrapers, neon-lit streets to Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions expansion and development plan at the verdant countryside, Hong Kong is a city (MICE) destination. In 2017, overnight Phase 1 site of the resort is now under of colour and contrast. MICE arrivals reached 1.93 million. way. The plan will bring new attractions More diversified tourism products are to the resort progressively from 2018 In 2017, Hong Kong was selected the planned to increase Hong Kong tourism’s to 2023. “Best Business City in Asia” at the appeal, attract more overnight and Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Travel Cruise Terminal high value-added visitors and tap Awards and “Best Business City in Asia” The state-of-the-art Kai Tak Cruise newer markets. in the Smart Travel Asia Award. In 2016, Terminal has strengthened Hong Kong’s Hong Kong was ranked “Asia’s Leading New themed tours, featuring heritage, art position as a leading cruise tourism hub. Meetings & Conference Destination” in and culture, authentic experiences, green The terminal features spacious passenger the World Travel Awards. tours and cruise tours will be developed. and service areas and a 23,000 square Hong Kong’s world-class venues Major events such as the FIA Formula E metre rooftop garden. With 360-degree can accommodate conventions and Hong Kong E-Prix and the Volvo Ocean views of Victoria Harbour and an exhibitions of different scales. The main Race - Hong Kong Stopover enhance impressive array of amenities, the venues are the Hong Kong Convention Hong Kong’s appeal. terminal meets the demands of a new and Exhibition Centre in the heart of In 2017, Hong Kong welcomed 58.5 generation of super cruise liners and has the city, AsiaWorld-Expo near the airport million visitors. the capacity to simultaneously handle and Hong Kong International Trade and two of the world’s largest cruise ships. Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay. Its open design and spacious interior is Tourism Attractions The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal also offers highly flexible and offers an excellent Hong Kong continues to develop an excellent venue for MICE events. venue for performances and events. its tourism sector by expanding its world-class attractions. The terminal served about 190 ship calls Events Galore in 2017. Together with Ocean Terminal The Hong Kong Tourism Board organises • Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park and other berthing facilities in Hong Kong, popular events such as the International Hong Kong ranked 17th and 18th we received a total of over 245 ship calls Chinese New Year Parade, Hong Kong respectively among the theme parks in 2017. worldwide, according to the latest Cyclothon, Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, Hong Kong Winterfest and Themed Entertainment Association’s Hong Kong is an excellent place for Hong Kong New Year Countdown. Events Global Attractions Attendance Report. cruise lines to develop fly-cruise business such as Clockenflap attract international • Ocean Park Hong Kong is a world-class for long-haul cruise passengers who musical talent. marine theme park featuring more than would like to experience Asia. 80 attractions. The park is developing Hong Kong hosts a wide variety of an all-weather indoor-outdoor Culinary Paradise international sporting events, including waterpark, which is expected to be The 2018 edition of the Michelin Guide the FIA Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix was completed in the first half of 2019. features 227 held for the second time in Hong Kong Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel Hong Kong and Macau in December 2017 and the first Volvo and Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong restaurants, including 63 Hong Kong Ocean Race - Hong Kong Stopover, Kong is scheduled for completion in Michelin-starred restaurants. Many in January 2018. 2018 and 2021 respectively. inexpensive restaurants and street stalls • Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is one offering local delights, make Hong Kong’s The city’s best known sports event, of the most popular and best themed Michelin restaurants some of the most the annual Hong Kong Rugby Sevens resorts in Asia, featuring more than affordable in the world. tournament, considered to be the world’s 100 attractions. The resort has The annual Wine & Dine Festival premier Sevens tournament, continues to made constant efforts in enhancing attract top teams and thousands of rugby fans from around the world. of the Blue House Cluster (into the The Hong Kong Maritime Museum at Viva Blue House) received the Award of the Central harbourfront presents Eco-tourism Excellence, the top honour, in the 2017 Hong Kong’s maritime heritage. UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Perhaps no other city offers such a The 1.76 hectare Tamar Park in Heritage Conservation. spectacular range of scenery within such Admiralty features a landscaped garden, easy reach of the city centre. Much of Other projects under the Scheme water features, a floating platform and an the territory is protected countryside. include: the Former Lai Chi Kok Hospital amphitheatre. The Central Harbourfront There are 24 country parks, 22 special which has become the Jao Tsung-I event space hosts a variety of exciting areas and five marine parks with scenic Academy for Chinese culture; Lui Seng events. hills, woodlands, reservoirs and coastline, Chun, which has become the Hong Kong Along the stretch from Wan Chai North most of which are easily accessible from Baptist University School of Chinese to North Point via Causeway Bay, it is urban areas. Medicine – Lui Seng Chun; and, proposed to develop an arts and culture the Stone Houses which has been Apart from the stunning Hong Kong precinct, water park precinct, a water revitalised into the Stone Houses Family UNESCO Global Geopark located in recreation precinct, a heritage precinct Garden. Apart from the Revitalisation the eastern part of Hong Kong – which and a leisure and recreation precinct. features rare hexagonal volcanic rock Scheme, other built heritage conservation columns – Hong Kong boasts numerous projects include the Former Police “A Symphony of Lights” has taken on a hiking trails, outlying islands and other Married Quarters on Hollywood Road new direction in December 2017. With green attractions for nature lovers. which has been revitalised into a creative new music and lighting effects, the show industries landmark, the “PMQ”; and the has transformed Hong Kong’s cityscape Many Hong Kong hiking trails are The Central Police Station Compound, into a true symphony. Other harbourfront easily accessible from urban areas. dating from the mid-19th century, which attractions include the giant observation The 100-kilometre MacLehose Trail is being revitalised and transformed wheel, as well as art events and carnivals was listed by National Geographic in its into the Tai Kwun (‘Big Station’ in year round. “World’s Best Hikes: 20 Dream Trails” Cantonese), a vibrant centre for heritage, in 2016. contemporary art and leisure. Festivals Hong Kong celebrates Western and Heritage Conservation The Former Explosives Magazine Compound of the Old Victoria Barracks, Eastern festivals with equal enthusiasm. There are currently 117 declared built between 1843 and 1874 by Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn monuments, including historic buildings, the British Army, now houses the Asia Festival are major festivals. ancient forts, rock carvings and archaeo- Society Hong Kong Centre. This cultural, There are also unique local festivals such logical sites. artistic, and intellectual hub won as the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival The Revitalising Historic Buildings the prestigious 2016 Institute Honor (Bun Festival), Tai O Dragon Boat Water Through Partnership Scheme encourages Awards for Architecture given by the Parade, Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and non-profit-making organisations to American Institute of Architects. Yu Lan Ghost Festival. Also popular are transform government-owned historic Western festivities such as Christmas, buildings into cultural landmarks, Harbourfront Enhancements Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day preserving their integrity while enhancing Victoria Harbourfront is being enhanced and Oktoberfest. their utility. with promenades, parks and other Arts events such as the Hong Kong Arts The revitalisation of the Former North beautification projects. Festival, Hong Kong International Film Kowloon Magistracy (into the Savannah “Kai Tak Fantasy” aims to develop the Festival, Le French May, Chinese Opera College of Art and Design Hong Kong), tip of the old Kai Tak Airport runway Festival and International Arts Carnival, Mei Ho House (into the YHA Mei Ho and adjoining areas into a world-class and, in alternate autumns, New Vision House Youth Hostel) and the Old Tai Po tourism, entertainment and leisure hub Arts Festival and World Cultures Festival Police Station (into the Green Hub for for the local community and visitors. sustainable living) received Honourable enhance the line-up. Mentions in the 2011, 2015 and 2016 Kwun Tong Promenade is an attractive UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural and vibrant harbourfront leisure space Heritage Conservation, respectively. for public enjoyment and three adjoining The revitalisation of the Old Tai O Police sites are providing facilities for creative, Station (into the Tai O Heritage Hotel) arts and cultural uses. gained the Award of Merit in the 2013 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The revitalisation (April 2018) .