Bangkok--27 Dec--Hong Kong Tourism Board
For the fifth year in a row, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is organising the Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations on the night of 31 December 2011. Heralding the Western New Year and in anticipation of the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese lunar calendar, the Celebrations will take on the theme “Soaring Dragon with a Happy Heart”. During the event, spectators will be able to see a “golden dragon” created by pyrotechnics spiralling up Two ifc, which symbolises a vibrant new year for Hong Kong’s society and economy. They can also make wishes upon pyrotechnic “shooting stars” for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.
HKTB Executive Director Mr Anthony Lau said: “Ever since the event’s inception, the New Year Countdown Celebrations have drawn hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents and visitors to both sides of Victoria Harbour, and earned Hong Kong tremendous international exposure. Last year, some 200 TV stations from all over the world, including such reputable stations as CNN, arranged live and delayed broadcast and coverage of the event, reaping a publicity value worth over HK$130 million for Hong Kong. With all these benefits, especially the publicity for Hong Kong’s brand image worldwide, the HKTB considers that the event should continue.
“This year, the total cost of the event is around HK$8.5 million. The New Year Countdown Celebrations will feature altogether 10 buildings on Hong Kong Island, including Two ifc. On New Year’s Eve, starting from 11pm, pyrotechnics will be launched every 15 minutes from all 10 buildings simultaneously to create a “meteor shower”. The shooting stars will appear in four colours to represent wishes for good luck in “career”, “health”, “fortune” and “love”.
In the last 10 seconds of 2011, numeric countdown by LED lights on the fa?ade of Two ifc will begin, and as the clock strikes midnight, a spectacular pyrotechnic show lasting four minutes will be launched at all 10 buildings, with “Happy New Year” displayed on their rooftops.
The concept of the pyrotechnic show is conceived by veteran executive producer Ms Debbie Ng, while the theme music featuring Eastern and Western elements is composed by renowned music producer and composer Mr Chiu Tsang Hei. Together with pyrotechnics expert Mr Wilson Mao, they will create a whimsical profusion of colourful lights and sound.
Residents and visitors in Hong Kong can choose to take part in the countdown at various spots on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza, the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront between the HKCC and the Avenue of Stars, the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, the Expo Promenade at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the area around Central Piers. In addition, Harbour City will open the Ocean Terminal rooftop car park on New Year’s Eve to offer a perfect vantage point for those customers who have spent a designated amount at the shopping mall.
To encourage public participation in the Countdown Celebrations, the HKTB has organised a photo competition in collaboration with Headline Daily, inviting members of the public to capture fascinating moments of this year’s event with their cameras or submit photos of past countdown events in order to win attractive prices.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Wandee Lerdsupongkit - HKTB Press Information Center
Tel. 02233 4329/30 Fax 02236 8030 Email:
[email protected]