Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events Just Around the Corner

- City Ready to Serve Up a Feast Like No Other

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will stage the "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events" from 30 October to 8 November 2009, presenting a tantalising experience of fine wine, cuisine and entertainment for visitors and local residents. The anchor event will be a three-day "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival". Not only can participants taste approximately 300 brands of wines from 15 "old world" and "new world" countries, as well as over 150 local food items, but they can also enjoy Hong Kong's first-ever, outdoor 3D multimedia show, a large-scale art installation by local artists, and an array of live performances with different themes.

Mr James Tien, Chairman of the HKTB, said: "Hong Kong enjoys a longstanding reputation for its cuisine, which is indeed its core tourism appeal. Leveraging on the exemption of wine duty by the Government, the HKTB has designated 2009 as the Hong Kong Food and Wine Year. In organising this first-ever Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events, we aim to showcase to visitors our delectable offerings, and reinforce our standing as a gourmet paradise. Through collaboration with our travel-trade partners in various source markets, especially in the short-haul and Mainland markets, we've put together a series of package tours and itineraries themed on the cuisine and wine in Hong Kong, which we hope will stimulate travellers' desire to visit Hong Kong, and in turn create greater business opportunities for our travel and related sectors.

Mr Tien continued, "The HKTB has invited about 250 trade partners and media from various source markets, including both long- and short-haul markets, to join the Spotlight Events. As well as giving them first-hand experience of our wide selection of cuisine and wine, we hope to generate further international exposure for our city. We've co-operated with our trade partners to arrange for about 4,000 visitors to participate in the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival. As for in-town visitors, the HKTB is actively promoting this 10-day celebration through various channels, encouraging the active participation of both visitors and local residents."

American Express International, Inc, will be the presenting sponsor of the 10-day "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events". Mr Y C Koh, Chief Executive Officer, Greater China & Southeast Asia of American Express, said, "American Express is honoured to participate in the Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events as the Presenting Sponsor. The HKTB has been a long-term strategic partner of American Express. I would like to thank the HKTB for their leadership and initiative in promoting and maintaining Hong Kong's reputation as a culinary capital. We are committed to our partnership with the HKTB in bringing the best of the best to the people in Hong Kong and overseas travellers."

Mr Koh continued, "As the Presenting Sponsor of the Event, American Express will also provide exclusive privileges to our cardmembers from both local and overseas to enjoy the programme. It is our sincere hope that this programme will evolve into something even bigger and better each year."

The "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events" will comprise of four key elements: (1) the "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival", which is the first-ever, large-scale outdoor fine wine and gourmet event; (2) street carnivals organised by two major food districts; (3) a sparkling array of activities put together by the catering and tourism sectors; and (4) a series of wining and dining offers.

Highlight 1: Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, featuring fine wine, food and entertainment

To kick-start the "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events", the HKTB will stage the "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival", the first ever, large-scale, outdoor fine wine and gourmet food event in the city. The spectacle will be held at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade between 30 October and 1 November (Friday to Sunday). Visitors and residents can indulge in wonderful pairings of wine and food, along with enchanting music, against the beautiful backdrop of Victoria Harbour. Around 150 booths will be set up at the venue, offering approximately 300 brands of wine from 15 "new world" and "old world" countries, as well as over 150 food items, for tasting by participants. The booths will also provide participants with tips on pairing fine wine and food.

Those who would like to enhance their knowledge of wine can join wine talks offered at the venue. Children are also welcome to join a free culinary workshop, where they can learn how to prepare food under the guidance of professional chefs.

The "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival" is also rich with entertainment elements. Each evening, the HKTB will present various forms of entertainment, including live performances by singers and jazz performers on the main stage. Other types of entertainment include flair bartending, musical instrument performances, all-vocal performances and dancing, which will be featured on the mini stage and exhibition area inside the venue. For every half hour from 8:00 to 10:00 pm, participants can view Hong Kong's first-ever, outdoor 3D multimedia show on the two facades of the Ventilation Building of the Western Harbour Tunnel. As for the art lovers, they can enjoy the art display by local artist Miss Eileen Chan or even learn how to paint on wine bottles under the guidance of instructors.

Visitors and local residents who want to sample the wines at the venue can purchase wine pass and tokens. A total of 13,000 wine passes will be available for on-site and pre-event purchase. Starting from tomorrow (20 October), wine passes can be purchased at the HKTB Visitor Centre located at the Star Ferry Concourse in Tsim Sha Tsui, as well as at MTR stations. Buyers can enjoy an early-bird discount.

Highlight 2: Large-scale Street Carnivals in two major food districts (6 -8 November)

To tie in with "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events", distinctive street carnivals will be organised at two renowned food districts, Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo, on 6-8 November (Friday to Sunday), allowing both visitors and residents to enjoy two unique and delightful experiences in the same district simultaneously. The Lan Kwai Fong Carnival 2009, to be held in the Lan Kwai Fong area of Central, will evolve around the theme "South American Passion"; while the SoHo Wine & Dine Carnival, the first held in the SoHo Food District, will be based on the theme "Good Food with Fine Wine", and will feature fine wines, delicacies and gripping performances. The two carnivals will altogether feature around 130 booths primarily providing wine, food and interactive games on 7 – 8 November.

Highlight 3: Food and Wine Themed Activities Presented by Trade Partners

An array of themed activities and products, including "Celebrity Gourmet Tour", Wine Cellar Tour, Chef's Table, and wine walks, presented by local food districts, and the catering and tourism sectors, will also be available throughout the period of "Hong Kong Food and Wine Spotlight Events", offering visitors endless sensational experiences.

Highlight 4: Exclusive dining and drinking offers by the catering sector

Finally, various forms of offers will be extended by a number of hotels and restaurants in major tourist districts during "Hong Kong Food and Wine Year Spotlight Events", including free corkage service and a wine buffet. Fabulous dining and drinking offers, such as buy-one, get-one free, and complimentary dishes or beverages, will be offered to visitors, encouraging them to further explore the mouth-watering array of food offerings in Hong Kong.

Source : Equity Bulls

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