Bangkok--26 Nov--Francom Asia The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) UK office has been voted Best Asia/Pacific Tourist Board in the British Travel Awards 2007. Regarded as the Oscars of the travel industry, the awards invited both industry professionals and the public to cast their votes, which make them one of the most widely recognised travel awards. HKTB Chairman The Hon James Tien said that the Board was greatly honoured by the accolade. “Since our UK office in London came into existence in 1972, we’ve been working closely with the British travel trade to promote Hong Kong,” he remarked. “Our recent strategy is to position Hong Kong as a hip and trendy destination, and winning the award shows how positively our promotions have been received by the UK travel trade and consumers.” The British Travel Awards rank among the annual highlights of the UK travel industry. During the first half of this year, industry professionals nominated the candidates for various categories. Members of the travel trade and the consumers were then invited to cast their votes online. Altogether more than 100,000 votes were collected for this year’s awards. The award ceremony took place on 15 November during the last night of World Travel Market, the premier travel industry exhibition that brings together buyers and sellers worldwide. The award to the HKTB came only weeks after Hong Kong was voted Favourite Overseas City for the second year in a row in the UK’s Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards last month. The UK is Hong Kong’s biggest single source of visitors in Europe. Last year, arrivals from the country reached a new high of 516,495, with a further increase of 20.3% recorded in the first nine months of 2007.