Hong Kong's Tourism Strategy Committee Discusses New Development Blueprints to Boost Cultural and Tourism Integration

2025-01-10 20:12 Last Updated At：20:28

Tourism Strategy Committee holds third meeting

The Tourism Strategy Committee, chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, held its third meeting today (January 10). At the meeting, members exchanged views on the newly announced Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0 (Blueprint 2.0) and Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. Representatives from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) also reported Hong Kong's latest tourism performance and relevant statistics to the members.

Miss Law said, "The Blueprints on tourism as well as culture and creative industries have further demonstrated the integration of culture and tourism, reflecting realisation of 'shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism'. Apart from the Government's policy support and promotion, the trade needs to identify, respond to and steer changes. We call for the trade to join hands with the Government to implement the four development strategies and 133 measures set out in Blueprint 2.0, making good use of Hong Kong's rich and unique cultural and tourism resources to develop more tourism products with Hong Kong characteristics, enhance the quality of catering and tourism services etc., and thereby reinvigorating Hong Kong's tourism industry."

She added, "Benefitting from the Central Government's various policies to support Hong Kong, including the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen, and the efforts put in by the trade, the city was generally buzzling with people in December last year. Related sectors in Hong Kong, such as retail and catering, shared that the overall business environment was thriving. To welcome the Chinese New Year (CNY), we have prepared a series of festive mega events. The HKTB has also launched a CNY travel guide to welcome Mainland and overseas visitors to Hong Kong to celebrate the festival and experience the strong CNY vibes in Hong Kong (including Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, fabulous fireworks, the Chinese New Year Raceday and the Chinese New Year Cup on the first four days of CNY respectively, as well as CNY fairs, temples visits, popular attractions and other festive activities)."

The CSTB published the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development and Blueprint 2.0 in late November and late December last year respectively. Culture and tourism being intertwined, the diversified environment with a blend of Chinese and Western cultures, the world-class cultural facilities, as well as the diverse mega events and performances constitute important tourism resources in Hong Kong. These attract visitors with different interests, promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism. During the meeting, members welcomed the two blueprints and put forward different opinions.

The number of visitor arrivals increased steadily in 2024, with the total number of visitor arrivals reaching about 45 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 31 per cent and meeting our expectation. The number of Mainland and non-Mainland visitor arrivals recorded a year-on-year increase of 27 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

The Tourism Strategy Committee is tasked to provide the Government with strategic advice and foster collaboration among different stakeholders in tourism and related sectors for further promoting the long-term and sustainable development of Hong Kong's tourism industry. Members include prominent figures and key leaders from the tourism and other related sectors such as culture, sports, retail and catering.

Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025 Opens with More Than Joy Theme and Diverse Programs.

2025-04-04 19:05 Last Updated At：19:18

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival opens today

The opening ceremony of the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival (PCF) was held today (April 4) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the PCF this year is themed "More Than Joy". Audiences can appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible in addition to joy and laughter.

The Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; and an actor of the opening film "The Banquet" (1991), Mr Eric Tsang, officiated at the opening ceremony.

The opening programme, "Silhouette Resonance x The Banquet (1991)", began after the ceremony. Pop singer Alfred Hui, a cappella choral theatre company Yat Po Singers, and beatboxer Heartgrey (Eric So) together with a live band performed songs from classic comedy films with fresh arrangements by renowned musician Ng Cheuk-yin. The digitally restored version of "The Banquet" (1991) was screened following the performance. Blending entertainment with cultural artistry, the audience was offered a fresh and inspiring perspective on the vibrancy of Hong Kong's pop culture.

Another highlight programme that kicks off the PCF is outdoor music carnival "ImagineLand 2025" to be held tomorrow (April 5) and on Sunday (April 6) at the HKCC Piazza, and the Central Lawn & Event Trellis of Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars free of charge. Supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, "ImagineLand 2025" features both daytime and evening programmes, encompassing music, films, comics, and more.

During "ImagineLand 2025", "Go Beyond Concert", "Comics Fun Experience Gallery" and "Funarts Corner" will be available during the day, while film programme "Movie Under the Stars" will be held at night. Over 35 musicians and artists from Hong Kong and eight countries and regions including the Mainland, Japan, Korea, the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine will perform on the three stages of "Go Beyond Concert", showcasing boundless possibilities of music across the performances. Major line-ups of local artists include Ivana Wong, Joey Tang, Yatfung, Cloud, Ashley Lin, Pandora, Wan Pin Chu and more, performing mesmerising popular songs and original works.

At "Comics Fun Experience Gallery", Hong Kong comics and animation from different eras will be displayed to highlight the creativity of local artists with immersive photo-taking opportunities. The exhibition also features the works of local humourist cartoonists and explores how comics intertwine with the city's pop culture. Workshops on art, music, and crafts will be available for the public at "Funarts Corner". In the evenings, two comedies, "Table For Six" (2022) and "Forbidden City Cop" (1996)", will be screened at "Movie Under the Stars" tomorrow and on Sunday respectively, allowing audiences to enjoy outdoor films while relaxing on the lawn.

Other highlights include the "Laughter Double Bill: Hong Kong Comedy Film Spectacular" film screening programme; exhibitions "Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics" and "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s"; concerts "The 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras-Bands 'The Animated Melodies - Our Nostalgic Memories'", "Ko Shan Fest" and "Music & Laughs", and more. To support the PCF's theme of "More Than Joy", the Hong Kong Public Libraries will also organise book displays and subject talks in a series of activities under the theme of "Happy Reading".

Several industry partners are also offering a range of events as part of the festival, which are not to be missed.

Hong Kong's pop culture has drawn inspiration particularly from humour, a constant trendsetter that has left a deep footprint on many aspects of the city's rich and colourful pop cultural landscape. The PCF 2025, with more than 20 programmes, not only delights audiences with exciting performances and works but also offers insight into the development paths of Hong Kong's pop culture along the line of "happiness". By participating in these activities, audiences will be able to discover their own happiness.

For more details, please visit the website: www.pcf.gov.hk, or call 2601 8703.