Festival of Connoisseurs Opens in Hong Kong, Showcasing Premium Lifestyle and International Brands

Government's newly introduced international exhibition on premium lifestyle, The Festival of Connoisseurs, opens today

The new flagship international exhibition on premium lifestyle brought in by the Government, The Festival of Connoisseurs (TFOC), officially opened at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) today (November 4). The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, joined by other guests, witnessed the launch of this major exhibition event.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Chan said that TFOC brings together exquisite craftsmanship and innovative ideas. Hong Kong, leveraging its role as a "super connector" and its unique advantages including free flow of capital, goods, talent and information, a simple and low tax regime, as well as its position as the gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, provides an ideal platform for international brands to showcase quality products, expand their customer base, build partnerships and explore more business opportunities.

Mr Chan added that the Government has earmarked $100 million in the Budget this year to attract high-quality, large-scale international exhibitions to Hong Kong, and TFOC was the first exhibition funded under the initiative. The success of TFOC was attributable to the close collaboration between the organiser and local partners, fully demonstrating the fruits of creativity and co-operation. The Government will continue to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international trade centre and world-class convention and exhibition (C&E) hub, support brands to expand their markets and bring richer experience to visitors.

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) is responsible for implementing the initiative, and will make good use of the funding to proactively attract more suitable international exhibitions with a view to developing Hong Kong into the first-choice platform for showcasing Mainland and international brands and driving high value-added economic activities.

TFOC, organised by Informa Markets, will be held at AWE for three consecutive days starting from today (November 4 to 6). Instead of the traditional indoor and single venue format, the event extends beyond indoor exhibition halls to outdoor venues for showcasing various global and Mainland renowned brands centred around high-end lifestyle themes such as superyachts and supercars, offering a brand new experience for visitors and attracting a large number of premium exhibitors, buyers and visitors from overseas and the Mainland.

In addition, the organiser has launched a series of pre-exhibition events since November 1 and will partner with the Lantau Yacht Club to stage a crossover between its Festa Nautica 2026 and TFOC, creating a grand event for the yachting sector while enabling the public to enjoy the immersive experience brought by this mega event.

The Government expects exhibitions of such kind will generate new business opportunities, attract high-spending visitors, and enhance brand effects, thereby benefiting Hong Kong's C&E industry and related sectors. The CEDB will continue to work with relevant organisations to identify other international exhibitions of various themes for staging in Hong Kong.

Source: AI-found images

Government's newly introduced international exhibition on premium lifestyle, The Festival of Connoisseurs, opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government's newly introduced international exhibition on premium lifestyle, The Festival of Connoisseurs, opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government's newly introduced international exhibition on premium lifestyle, The Festival of Connoisseurs, opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government's newly introduced international exhibition on premium lifestyle, The Festival of Connoisseurs, opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government's newly introduced international exhibition on premium lifestyle, The Festival of Connoisseurs, opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (November 4) detected a drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about one kilogram of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $600,000. A man was arrested.

A 36-year-old local male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine in the shoes worn by him. He was subsequently arrested.

An investigation of the case is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases