Hong Kong sets up tourism office in Taipei

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced Tuesday the establishment of a Taipei office that is expected to further strengthen the special administrative region's tourism promotion in Taiwan. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Taipei, HKTB Chairman James Pei-chun Tien said the tourism board will continue to promote Hong Kong tourism and to host major promotional events. 

The ceremony kicked off with a Hong Kong tradition -- the carving of a roast pig -- in which the attendees sliced up a pig as a symbol of a smooth future. 

Tien said that the purpose of setting up the office is to consolidate Hong Kong as a leading destination for Taiwanese travelers. 

Earlier in the year, the tourism board launched a series of events under the banner of "Hong Kong -- Asia's world city," Tien noted, adding that further promotions such as "Hong Kong Halloween Treats," as well as "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Month" will take place Sept. 22-Oct. 31 and Oct. 27-Nov. 30, respectively. 

Taiwanese visitors are welcome to attend these events, he added. 

Based on HKTB statistics, Taiwanese tourists were the second-largest group to visit Hong Kong last year, making 2.16 million visits, with more than 1.2 million having arrived as of July this year. 

Among the Taiwanese visitors, the number of travelers staying overnight has continued to grow, increasing by 11 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2011.

Source - focustaiwan.tw