HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 6 October 2025 - A new culinary chapter is beginning in Hong Kong, as the "Happiness from Europe" campaign officially launches its three-year initiative. Co-funded by the European Union, this campaign proudly introduces Grana Padano PDO – one of Europe's most iconic cheeses – to consumers in Hong Kong.
A recent campaign highlight was the sponsorship of a culinary competition aimed at inspiring consumers to explore the versatility and richness of Grana Padano PDO. Through combining innovation and tradition, the contest offered chefs a platform to showcase their creativity using one of Europe's finest ingredients.
"Happiness from Europe" Launches in Hong Kong
The History of Grana Padano PDO
Created by Benedictine monks around 1135 as a way to preserve surplus milk, Grana Padano PDO is renowned for its hard and granular texture, nutty and savoury flavour. It possesses unique nutritional features such as quality proteins, vitamins and mineral salts, especially calcium. It is lactose free due to the characteristics of the production method and the long aging process.
Made from partially skimmed raw milk, the production process includes natural cream separation, curdling with whey starter and calf rennet, cooking, shaping, brining for 23 days, and then aging for a minimum of 9 months, with some cheese wheels maturing for more than 24 months to develop a richer, more complex flavour. Each wheel is rigorously inspected for aroma, texture, and appearance – only those that meet the highest standards are fire-branded with the official Grana Padano PDO mark, a symbol of authenticity and excellence.
Since 1954, the Consorzio Tutela Grana Padano, a non-profit organization, oversees and promotes the product globally. The consortium also ensures that every wheel complies with the strict rules of the Production Specifications. Grana Padano was granted its PDO status in 1996. This entails the products being made exclusively within a specific region using traditional methods, while also supporting the artisans who produce it today. It also guarantees consumers of the product's authenticity against possible imitations.
Showcasing Local Culinary Talent
As part of the ongoing "Happiness from Europe" campaign, a Grana Padano PDO culinary competition took place throughout September. The competition was organized by Hong Kong Chefs Association – a non-profit organization whose many aims include supporting major culinary-based events in Hong Kong and sharing professional knowledge and skills through international culinary competitions.
Open to chefs across Hong Kong, this competition invited participants to create their most delicious dish using one or more of the three varieties of Grana Padano PDO: aged for 9 months, 16 months, or 22 months (Riserva).
Participants were encouraged to push culinary boundaries and reimagine how Grana Padano PDO can be featured in modern and trendy dishes. Entries were submitted by 15 September 2025, and a panel of judges reviewed the submissions based on a set of strict criteria.
The top five finalists were announced by 20 September 2025, and invited to compete in a live, final cook-off on 30 September 2025 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Hotel & Tourism Management. At this exciting event, each chef prepared their dish in front of judges, and exclusive prizes and gift packs were awarded to the winners.
Enjoy "Happiness from Europe" Everyday
The "Happiness from Europe" campaign invites Hong Kong's food lovers to discover the many ways Grana Padano PDO can enhance everyday meals and gourmet dishes alike. Whether shaved over fresh salads, stirred into creamy risottos, or paired with fruits, nuts, and wine, Grana Padano PDO offers a taste of European authenticity in every bite.
Interested consumers can also check out the campaign's website www.happinessfromeu.com and social media accounts – Instagram and Facebook – for the latest news and updates.
Ciao! Buon appetito everyone!
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Hashtag: #HappinessfromEurope
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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"Happiness from Europe" Launches in Hong Kong
"Happiness from Europe" Launches in Hong Kong
MUMBAI, INDIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 May 2026 - Vinpearl Joint Stock Company has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, and MakeMyTrip, three of India's leading travel and tourism companies. The strategic partnerships are aimed at directly and comprehensively reaching all customer segments, helping position Vietnam as a "preferred destination" in the world's most populous country.
The agreements were signed at the Vietnam–India Business Forum, held as part of the State visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to India, in the presence of General Secretary and President To Lam and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
The partnerships are expected to open direct access channels to all customer segments, stimulate travel demand and experiential tourism, and ultimately position Vietnam as a "preferred destination" for India's 1.47 billion people.
Representing India are three of the country's most influential and trusted travel distribution channels: Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, and MakeMyTrip. Thomas Cook India has strong expertise in group travel, corporate travel, and large-scale MICE tourism. SOTC Travel is well known for family vacations, group tours, and mid- to high-end leisure travel. Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip, India's leading online travel platform, has a strong advantage in reaching younger travelers, independent tourists, and digitally-driven booking behaviors.
Representing Vietnam is Vinpearl, the country's leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand, operating nearly 60 properties nationwide. Its diverse five-star "all-in-one" ecosystem offers accommodation, shopping, dining, entertainment, golf, and MICE services, making it particularly well-suited to the travel preferences of Indian visitors, including large group travel, multi-generational family vacations, and experience-rich holidays.
Through these partnerships, the parties aim to maximize each other's strengths, enhance tourism development capabilities, and shape tailored travel products, gradually positioning Vietnam as a "preferred destination" for Indian travelers in the near future.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, CEO of Vinpearl, said: "India is one of the key markets in Vinpearl's international expansion strategy. Through partnerships with leading industry players, we are not only broadening our market reach but also proactively developing products tailored to each customer segment. Vinpearl aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian market while contributing to positioning Vietnam as an attractive and distinctive destination on the global tourism map."
Mr. Anubhav Bansal, Vice President of MakeMyTrip and representative of the three Indian partners, added: "Vinpearl operates one of the region's leading integrated tourism and hospitality ecosystems, with a scale, product diversity, and destination experience portfolio that increasingly align with the preferences of Indian travelers. We believe Vinpearl is playing an important role in positioning Vietnam as an attractive destination for this market. Combined with the extensive distribution strengths of both sides, this partnership is expected to significantly boost Indian tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the coming years."
India is currently the world's most populous country, with 1.47 billion people. The country's rapidly expanding middle class is driving a strong surge in demand for international travel.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the Indian market, Vinpearl has not only leveraged its scale and integrated "all-in-one" ecosystem but has also continuously developed specialized offerings for Indian travelers, including luxury wedding tourism, MICE travel, multi-generational family holidays, group trips, and couple getaways. In 2025, the number of Indian guests staying within the Vinpearl system surged by a record 402% year-on-year, followed by a further 335% increase during the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.
The signing of MoUs with these three major market access partners marks the next step in Vinpearl's strategy to sustainably grow its visitor base from the 1.47 billion-population Indian market, while also helping position Vietnam as a "preferred destination" for Indian travelers.
Hashtag: #Vinpearl
https://vinpearl.com/en
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About Vinpearl
Vinpearl is Vietnam's leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand, currently operating 60 properties across 20 provinces and cities nationwide. Its ecosystem includes a network of five-star hotels and resorts in 35 provinces and cities with more than 17,300 rooms; 15 VinWonders theme parks offering attractions for all age groups; six world-class golf courses; and three international-standard convention centers and theaters under the VinPalace brand. The ecosystem also features two semi-wildlife conservation and care parks, an equestrian academy, and spectacular multi-million-dollar live performance shows in destinations such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, attracting millions of visitors each year.
About Thomas Cook India
Founded in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL) is one of India's leading omnichannel travel and tourism groups, operating across foreign exchange, corporate travel, MICE, leisure travel, and value-added services.
TCIL owns and operates several major B2C and B2B brands, including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Sterling Holiday Resorts, Asian Trails, and Desert Adventures. The group has a presence in 28 countries across five continents and is one of the largest travel service networks headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region.
About SOTC Travel
Established in 1949, SOTC Travel is one of India's oldest and most reputable travel and tourism brands. The company is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings through Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL).
Operating through an omnichannel model, SOTC offers a wide range of services across leisure travel, incentive travel, and corporate travel. With more than 75 years of experience, SOTC has served millions of travelers across destinations worldwide and is recognized for its deep understanding of Indian travelers' preferences and behaviors.
About MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip is India's leading online travel booking platform, holding a dominant position in flight bookings, hotel reservations, and travel packages. With tens of millions of users and a strong digital ecosystem, MakeMyTrip covers the entire customer journey while maintaining a strong advantage in reaching younger travelers and independent tourists.
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Vinpearl Partners With Three Leading Indian Travel Companies, Unlocking Access To A 1.47 Billion-Person Market
