Hong Kong Prepares for Increased Visitors During Chinese New Year Golden Week Celebrations

CSTB convenes meeting to co-ordinate preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau convened a meeting today (January 23) to co-ordinate the preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the nine-day Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland (February 15 to 23).

The meeting was chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, with representatives from government departments including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, Hong Kong Customs, the Transport Department, and various District Offices attending. Representatives from various tourism-related organisations including the Travel Industry Authority, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, major tourist attractions and the hotel industry also attended.

Miss Law said, "We are approaching the nine-day Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, and various districts in Hong Kong will host a variety of festive events to create a rich New Year ambience for residents and visitors. We estimate a notable increase in visitor arrivals during the Chinese New Year Golden Week. Relevant departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will maintain close liaison with relevant organisations and the travel trade to make early preparation and planning with a view to providing a high-quality travel experience for visitors, allowing them to enjoy Hong Kong's unique festive atmosphere."

Relevant parties will continue to maintain close communication before the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland to plan and take forward various preparations for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong and report the latest situation in a timely manner to the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration.

CSTB convenes meeting to co-ordinate preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSTB convenes meeting to co-ordinate preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO brings Hong Kong's music talent to Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), together with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported the Hong Kong Sinfonietta's participation in the Marvao International Music Festival held in Marvao, Portugal, from July 24 to August 2 (Marvao time).

Led by Music Director Christoph Poppen, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta staged four performances at the Festival this year, including the Farewell Gala on August 2 (Marvao time) which marked the closing of the Festival. The performances also featured renowned musicians from Hong Kong, including harmonica virtuoso and composer Cy Leo, jazz pianist Daniel Chu, as well as composer-performer Alice Yeung, showcasing the talent of Hong Kong's young musicians to around 2 000 international audience members attending the Festival.

The Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO, Mr Kasper Ng, attended the Farewell Gala and the reception to showcase Brussels ETO's support to the orchestra, and promote the vibrant arts and cultural scene of Hong Kong as the event capital of Asia with world-class festivals and cultural celebrations.

The Marvao International Music Festival is one of Europe's leading classical music festivals, and is held in the medieval hilltop town of Marvao. Hong Kong Sinfonietta's participation this year marks the orchestra's fourth time participating in this internationally acclaimed Festival, further strengthening cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Portugal as well as the rest of Europe, and demonstrating the high-calibre quality and diversity of Hong Kong's musical talent.

Brussels ETO brings Hong Kong's music talent to Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO brings Hong Kong's music talent to Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO brings Hong Kong's music talent to Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO brings Hong Kong's music talent to Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases