Bangkok--20 Nov--Francom Asia
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced today (13 November) that it will stage Hong Kong WinterFest — the finale event of 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year — from 24 November to 1 January 2007. To showcase Hong Kong’s enhanced portfolio of diverse attractions, the HKTB will, for the first time, join hands with four major attractions, namely Hong Kong Disneyland, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong, to present a spectacular array of fun-filled activities.
Mr Lambert Chan, General Manager, Destination Marketing of the HKTB, said that surveys by the Board showed that many visitors, especially from Mainland China and other short-haul markets, are drawn by Hong Kong’s colourful festivities during Christmas and New Year. “Capitalising on 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year, we’re determined to make this year’s WinterFest even more enticing,” he said. “We’re deeply grateful for the wonderful support from four major attractions. Together we’ll make Hong Kong the centre of Christmas and New Year celebrations in Asia.”
Organised by the HKTB for the fifth consecutive year, Hong Kong WinterFest will continue to carry the theme of “Love and Care”. The focal point will be Statue Square in the heart of Central, which will be transformed into a picturesque, European-style Santa’s Town featuring the love motif and traditional Christmas elements. (For details, please refer to the Hong Kong WinterFest fact sheet.)
Among various themed settings will be Photo-Ops Corners, which will include photo backdrops of Mickey & Minnie of Hong Kong Disneyland and Whiskers of Ocean Park, a wax figure of the legendary Bruce Lee — Star of the Century — from Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, and a Skyrail cabin from Ngong Ping 360. As well as taking photos against the backdrops and in the cabin, visitors and residents can enjoy performances by Ocean Park and Disney’s Characters, and local and international groups on specified days. Some attractions will even offer participants discounts and dining privileges.
Hong Kong WinterFest will also tie in with the peak convention and exhibition season, including ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006, which will take place in Hong Kong for the first time on 4-8 December. To encourage delegates to participate in the Mega Event, the HKTB will set up two Visitor Services Counters at the conference venue and present them with welcome packs and travel information.
The HKTB has set up a mini-site at www.discoverhongkong.com/hkwf to introduce the hottest deals and offers from local merchants. To date, close to 3,400 merchant outlets and restaurants have agreed to offer visitors shopping and dining privileges.
The Board is also encouraging local residents to send “e-invites” to friends and relatives overseas, urging them to visit Hong Kong during the WinterFest period. Residents can personalise their e-cards on the HKTB website and enter their designs in a competition to win air tickets and fabulous prizes.
Meanwhile, local trade partners have undertaken to introduce different night tours that include A Symphony of Lights. On 23-25 and 30-31 December and 1 January, the multimedia show will be enhanced with special pyrotechnics, adding glitter to the city’s festive skyline.
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Media enquiries:
Ms. Wandee Lerdsupongkit/ Ms. Wipakorn Komonkitisakul
Francom Asia Ltd.
Tel. 0 2233 4329/30
Fax: 02 236 8030
Email: [email protected] .
2006 Hong Kong WinterFest
24 November 2006 to 1 January 2007
Objective:
- To promote Hong Kong’s diverse winter celebrations
- To attract visitors (especially from short-haul markets) to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Hong Kong
- To create a business platform for the tourism-related sectors
Theme:
Love and Care
Key elements:
1. Santa’s Town
2. A Symphony of Lights (Enhanced version)
3. Hong Kong WinterFest Shopping and dining privileges
4. Special Night Tours
1. Santa’s Town:
Venue: Statue Square, Central
Opening Hours:
24 November 2006 — 1 January 2007
Monday — Thursday 6:00 pm—11:00 pm
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 3:00 pm—11:00 pm
Christmas’s Eve and New Year’s Eve 6:00 pm—1 pm
Special elements:
For the first time, the HKTB will join hands with four major attractions to present spectacular winter celebrations
1. Hong Kong Disneyland
2. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
3. Ngong Ping 360
4. Ocean Park Hong Kong
Programs Content
Photo-Ops Corners(New element) Photo-taking with photo backdrop of Mickey & Minnie of Hong Kong Disneyland photo backdrop of Whiskers of Ocean Park Hong Kong a wax figure of the legendary Bruce Lee — Star of the Century from Madame Tussauds Hong Kong a Skyrail cabin from Ngong Ping 360
Snowy Chapel & Santa’s Clock Tower
1. Performances by Ocean Park and Disney’s Characters on specified days
2. Festive performances and Christmas carols by international and local performing groups during Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and festive days.Unprecedented international presence, including:- International renowned violinist David Garrett- Australian Gals Acapella Group Coco-Breakdance performance by Korean troupe- Spain Tuna de Valencia (performance of traditional Spanish instruments)- Canadian mime performanceLargest variety of local performances:- Harmonica Ensemble by World Champion-Salsa performance-Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra -Hong Kong Children Choir- Hip and Funky Christmas Band performance-Christmas Jazz Ensemble
Festive Calendar Countdown to Christmas Day with candies for children
Santa’s Post Office Post Love and Care messages on the giant screen. Visitors and local residents can pass their messages to on-site staff for display on the same day, or they can use the HKTB DiscoverHongKong.com website to submit their messages, which may be displayed the following day.
Nativity Display Showcase of Christmas collectibles and traditional ornaments collected from different parts of the world by Reverend Sean P Burke, JP, of the Maryknoll House.
Santa’s Lodge Photo-taking with Santa Claus
Wishing Corner Make a wish by hanging wishing cards on the trees
Dazzling Christmas Tree
- 35 metres tall and lit up nightly from 6:00 pm—11:00 pm
(Extended to 1:00 am of the next day on Christmas’s Eve and New Year’s Eve)
- There will be music boxes placed beneath the Christmas tree, and Santa Claus figurines, chubby snowmen and lovely teddy bears will pop up every 15 minutes.
2. A Symphony of Lights — Enhanced version
- On 23-25 and 30-31 December and 1 January, the multimedia show A Symphony of Lights will be enhanced with special pyrotechnics.
3. Shopping and Dining Privileges exclusive for Visitors
- Visitors and residents visiting Santa’s Town will also receive dining privileges and entrance fees discount offers by Hong Kong Disneyland and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
- Close to 3,400 merchant outlets and restaurants have agreed to offer visitors shopping and dining privileges.
- The HKTB has also set up a mini-site at www.discoverhongkong.com/hkwf to introduce these offers to visitors so that they can plan their visit prior to arriving in Hong Kong.
4. Special Night Tours
A Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise
- Cruise around Victoria Harbour on the ‘Shining Star’ ferry, enjoying A Symphony of Lights harbourfront show. Putonghua, English, Japanese Lamma Island Romance
- Take a sunset cruise to Lamma Island Visit the Lamma Fisherfolk’s Village Enjoy Best of the Best Culinary Award-winning dishes in a delightful waterfront restaurant on Lamma
- Enjoy A Symphony of Lights on board the catamaran
- Visit the Peak for a bird’s-eye view of the harbour and city with its festive lights
- Stop at Hong Kong WinterFest’s Santa’s Town for Christmas fun English, Putonghua Open-top bus and Christmas Illumination Night Tour
- Enjoy dinner at The Peak
- Enjoy stunning night view from The Peak
- Visit to HKWF’s Santa’s Town for Christmas fun
- Open-top bus ride along Nathan Road to take in the festive illumination and neon-lit street scenes Japanese
Open-top bus and Tsing Ma Bridge Romantic Night Tour
- Visit Lantau Link View Point to enjoy the view of brightly-lit Tsing Ma Bridge
- Enjoy Mediterranean dinner at one of the restaurants at Gold Coast
- Open-top bus ride along Nathan Road to take in the festive illumination and neon-lit street scenes
- Visit Ladies Market Japanese
Harbour Cruise and Seafood Dinner at Lei Yue Mun
- Sail on a sightseeing Chinese boat around Victoria Harbour taking in views of the Kowloon Peninsula and the north shore of Hong Kong Island
- Enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner at Lei Yue Mun fishing village Japanese
Other Events:
Date Event
Nov 11 — Dec 31 A Magic Christmas at HK Disneyland
Nov 24 Magnetic Tour 2006 Robin Gibb Plus Band & Orchestra Performing His Own and the Bee Gees’ Greatest Hits
Nov 24 — 25 2006 Hong Kong Drum Festival: Majestic Drums VIII
Nov 25 The Legendary Art Garfunkel — Live in Hong Kong 2006
Nov 28 Kanye West Touch the Sky Tour Live in Hong Kong
Dec 3 Artists and Their Models — Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, Paris
Dec 2 — 10 International Festival of Inclusive Arts
Dec 16 — Jan 1 Ocean Park Christmas Sensation
Dec 7 — Mar 25 World Carnival Hong Kong 2006-2007
Dec — Jan 1 The 41st Hong Kong Brands & Products Expo
Dec 10 2006 Hong Kong International Races (horse racing)
Dec 15 — 18 2006 Asia Game Show + now digital show
Dec 20 — Jan 7 Chrysanthemum Show at Yuen Yuen Institute
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Countdown Carnival
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net