Hong Kong eyes double-digit growth from India
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Every dollar spent of marketing and promotions has to yield effective and measurable returns in a dynamic world environment, as part of national objective of promoting a country. In line with the national priority to bring in more overseas tourists, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is mindful of every dollar spent on overseas promotion and marketing. In fact, it has chosen to trim many trade shows that had proved to be ineffective.
Speaking exclusively to T3, Peter Hoslin, Regional Director - Europe and New Markets, HKTB said, “We have cautiously downscaled on many trade shows that have proven to be ineffective in terms of tangible result creation. However, we will continue to support and strengthen our participation at SATTE, as India is the biggest emerging source market for Hong Kong. In 2014, over half a million Indian travellers visited our destination. This year as well, we are optimistic of this source market and we hope to achieve a double-digit growth in the number of family and young travellers from India.”
“Indian has a big demographic advantage and it’s likely to translate into meaningful outbound business opportunities. SATTE is a good platform to tap the going aspirations of the outbound travellers from India through our travel partners. In 2016 edition of SATTE New Delhi, the quality of visitors was superb on day one,” added Hoslin.
One of the astounding successes, destination Hong Kong has witnessed is in MICE domain. “We have created a distinct Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) to continue strengthening our destinations position as the number one destination for meetings, incentive trips, conventions, and exhibitions in Asia-Pacific. MEHK offers extensive support services that make world-leading MICE events simple to setup and smooth to execute. As a result of these efforts the MICE base from India has doubled in the past year,” informed Hoslin.
“We, on the eve of SATTE in India, felicitated our top Indian MICE agents at a gala evening. We hope the strong momentum in the MICE flow from India will continue on back of increase in quality room inventory amidst supply side pressures on prices. Also, many new MICE venues has opened up, like there are many heritage buildings that can now be deployed for MICE specific activities,” Hoslin added. Likewise, HKTB wants to tap the digital advantage and will soon launch its consumer campaigns, videos of Hong Kong opinion leaders on various segments of travel in addition to conducting its annual roadshows here in India shortly.