ITE Hongkong kick starts with promises of making tourism market sustainable, responsible, and fully recover from COVID-19 scenarioFriday, June 14th, 2024

With an intention of bringing international exhibitors representing various countries together in one platform to market their popular, new, attractive destinations at a four-day ITE Hong Kong 2024 beginning from June 13th to 16^th. The theme of this year’s fair is “Forward to full recovery” and taken with much importance as it is expected to bring back the tourism industry which faced the setback due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Tourism Commission, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Hong Kong SAR Government and guest of honor of the event Honorable Ms. Joanne Chu Shui Man welcomed all the dignitaries, head of diplomatic missions, participants representing various companies at the fair and congratulated them for their enthusiastically showcasing their businesses in making the event a grand success. 

Acting Commissioner Ms. Joanne stated that tourism being one of the traditional pillar industries of Hong Kong was badly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of which the industry’s contribution to the country’s GDP dropped to 0.1 percent and the employment generated shrank to around 22, 500. 

She further informed that the total visitor surged to about 9.5 million at the end of May 2023 as compared to about 0.6 million for the whole year of 2022.

The latest data of Hong Kong Tourism Board states that the visitor arrival surged to about 9.5 million by the end of May 2023 as compared to about 0.6 million for the whole year of 2022 after the new normal situation. 

Similarly, Consul at Nepal Consulate Office in Hong Kong Satish Gurung participated on behalf of Consul General at the Nepal Consulate Office in Hong Kong Uday Rana Magar at the fair. 

However, in his message, Consul General of Nepal Consulate Office in Hong Kong Uday Rana Magar extended his warm welcome to the private companies attending the fair.  

Consul General Magar expressed his full support and commitment to promote Nepal as a premier tourism destination. He further reiterated the fact that he and his officials working at the consulate office will leave no stones unturned to help grow Nepal’s tourism industry and introduce more global travelers to the wonders of Nepal and position it as the best alternative tourist destination to the people living in Hong-Kong Sar and Mainland China.  

The program was participated in by Director at Asia Tourism Exchange Center, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Zhang Dong, Deputy Executive Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board Ms Becky Ip, Chairman of Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Mrs Gianna Hsu, Executive Director of Korea Tourism Organization Hong Kong Office Ms Serena Moon, General Manager of  Macao Government Tourism Office – HK representative Mr Stanley Mok, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Hong Kong Ms. Phornmon Chansri among others.  

In addition, the fair was joined by travel trade companies, professionals working in tourism sector, travellers, people from different walks of life to do businesses, learn about the tourism market updates, know about the new and popular destinations, travel technologies. 

This event is touted to give an opportunity for reconnecting the Nepalese travel and tourism with Hong Kong, strategize marketing policies and programs to cope with the new and emerging trends, and cater the services as per the need and demand of young and dynamic Hong Kong SAR tourists.    

This event is expected to give a solid platform for Nepal, Hong Kong SAR of People’s Republic of China, and tourism and trade companies from over 60 countries to collaborate, cooperate and develop for the tourism growth, development and exchange of businesses between the two friendly countries. 

In recent times, particularly in post pandemic situation, positive news of tourism industry and support from international community is highly encouraging. 

A total of seven participants representing Nepal’s travel and trade under the leadership of Nepal Tourism Board will attend the fair which will go on for four  days. 

Those travel and trade representatives participating at the fair are namely Nepal Airlines Corporation, Himalayan 360, Hotel Everest International Limited, Nepal Big Mountain Travel Company Pvt. Ltd, Adventure Gorkhaland Treks and Expedition Private Limited, Fishtail Tours and Travel Pvt. Ltd., Kora Tours.

Talking of the advantageous and favorable business environment, the direct air connectivity between the two countries makes the travel short, easy and desirable. The data of 2023 states that around 3473 Hong Kong SAR tourists visited Nepal out of total number of 10,14,882 tourists visiting the country that year. The potential of tourist arrival from Hong Kong is considered to be higher given that those visiting will get a unique experience of natural beauty, culture, adventure, people, food and lifestyles. Also, the four seasons climatic conditions from sub- tropical to mountains allure the tourists particularly to those Hong Kong SAR tourists who come from tropical climate and look for the best alternative destination to spend their holidays away from the bustling life. Nepal has to offer unique tangible and intangible heritage which will justifies the brand name “Nepal life time experiences, once is not enough” 

Before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the industry contributed to around 3.6% of Hong Kong’s GDP and employed around 232700 persons contributing 6 % of total employment.     

ITE 2019 data states that over 88% of exhibitors participated at the event and the number of exhibitors rose to 90 % in  2023. 

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