Hong Kong Tourism Board and CIVB Bordeaux Wine Council Open Next Chapter of Five-year International Wine and Food Collaboration

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB, Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) are proud to sign a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reaffirming the commitment to step up the long-running partnership on wine and food tourism promotion.

Under the renewed five‑year Memorandum of Understanding, Hong Kong and Bordeaux will take their partnership to new heights across five key areas: an elevated showcase at the annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival; joint promotions in priority overseas markets; collaborative programmes to inspire global consumer interest; strengthened knowledge exchange on wine and food tourism; and deeper industry‑to‑industry collaboration between the two cities’ dynamic wine and gastronomic sectors.

HKTB Executive Director, Mr Anthony Lau (front left) and CIVB Vice President, Mr Philippe Tapie (front right) signed the MoU at a ceremony in Bordeaux yesterday (May 11), witnessed by Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (second left, back); HKTB Chairman, Dr Peter Lam (first left, back); Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Thomas Cazenave (second right, back); and member of Bordeaux City Hall Ms Laure de Lambert Compeyrot (first right, back).

HKTB Chairman, Dr Peter Lam said, “With the steadfast support of CIVB since 2009, we have successfully established the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival as one of Asia’s most anticipated annual gastronomy events. Bordeaux wines have consistently stood out as a favourite highlight among festival goers. This exciting new agreement sets a good milestone as well as marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Hong Kong and Bordeaux—two cities united by a shared passion for exceptional food and fine wines.”

Dr Lam continued, “We express our sincere gratitude to Mayor’s continued support. We look forward to seeing this strengthened partnership come to life at the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, taking the event to new heights. Hong Kong will also leverage the world-renowned Bordeaux Fête le Vin as a global platform to showcase our rich culinary heritage and emerging wine culture to international audiences.”

CIVB Vice-President, Mr Philippe Tapie said, “Following the successful cooperation between Hong Kong and Bordeaux since 2009, we are delighted to further deepen our highly successful partnership with Hong Kong. This agreement opens up exciting opportunities to enhance cultural and gastronomic exchanges, and to leverage Hong Kong as a gateway for showcasing the excellence of Bordeaux wines and cuisine to audiences across China, Asia and beyond.”

With the support of CIVB, last year’s Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival drew strong visitor participation and generated positive results for participating merchants. HKTB will continue to enhance the festival experiences to establish the festival as the “must-visit” culinary event in Hong Kong and showcase Hong Kong as the Events Capital of Asia.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that preliminary visitor arrivals reached
approximately 4.03 million in September, representing a 22% increase over the same period last year. Driven by the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and a series of festive events held across the city, including the annual Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival and the inaugural “International Lantern Spectacular”, as well as a comparatively low base due to adverse weather during the same period last year, visitor arrivals from the Chinese Mainland increased by nearly 30% year-on-year in September. Long-haul markets continued to grow at an ideal pace. Short-haul markets also benefited from festive events, but visitor growth remained under some pressure due to factors such as flight capacity constraints and fuel surcharges.

Preliminary visitor arrivals reached approximately 4.03 million in September, representing a 22% increase over the same period last year. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

For the first nine months of this year, cumulative visitor arrivals reached approximately 40.7 million, up 12% from a year earlier, reflecting the continued growth momentum of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. With upcoming mega events including the “Hong Kong Halloween Month”, the “Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival”, the “Hong Kong WinterFest” and the “Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations”, HKTB will continue to promote Hong Kong through event tourism, MICE tourism and diverse “Only in Hong Kong” experiences, and work with the industry to attract more high-value visitors to the city.

Visitors in Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image

Visitors in Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image

Photo source: HKTB