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HONG KONG BURSTS INTO BLOOM
FOR FLOWER EXTRAVAGANZA Spring in Hong Kong has always been the perfect time to appreciate the colour and fragrance of flowers. From today (4 March) until 17 March, the City of Life will be dressed up in delightful creations as part of the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza, which features a range of floral-themed events and activities. Details of this major programme were announced today by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) at a launch ceremony held at The Center in Central. Officiating at the ceremony were HKTB Chairman, The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, JP; Director of Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee, JP; Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Paul Leung, JP; Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Rebecca Lai, JP; HKTB Executive Director, Ms Clara Chong; Vice-Chairman of Central and Western District Council, Mr Chan Tak-chor, MH; and Executive Director, Charities & Corporate Secretariat of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, representing The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Mr William Yiu. To celebrate the launch of the programme, the guests took a trip on the nearby Central-Mid-Levels Escalator. Holding the Guinness World Record for the longest covered outdoor escalator, it has become even more eye-catching to visitors since being colourfully decorated with flowers. The guests at the launch enjoyed floral drinks and delicacies at a café participating in the promotion. Mrs Chow stressed the importance of creativity in promoting the tourism business. "We must constantly repackage Hong Kong with innovative ideas in order to maintain its popularity around the globe. This is the best way to keep Hong Kong at the top of visitors' travel destination wish-lists," she said. "Hong Kong is a city with multifaceted and diverse attractions. We offer rich cultural heritage, stunning green landscapes, spectacular vistas and countless world-class events," Mrs Chow added. "The purpose of the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza is to showcase the colours and unexplored characteristics of Hong Kong by co-ordinating and repackaging successful events and popular attractions." The two-week programme focuses on the "five senses" of floral appreciation - seeing the beauty of green landscapes and flowers at flower shows and floral appreciation classes; hearing the peaceful sounds of nature while on a green tour or HKTB special tour; feeling the Hong Kong way of life when shopping or enjoying quality service at aromatherapy spas; tasting floral food and drinks; and smelling the scent of flowers and all kinds of aromatic products. A number of floral-related events and activities have been incorporated into the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza. The highlight of the programme is the Hong Kong Flower Show, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. A major annual event in the Hong Kong calendar, the Flower Show will take place from 8 to 17 March at Victoria Park. A total of 86 groups took part in last year's event, which attracted over 500,000 spectators. This year, more than 100 local and international groups will showcase their exhibits. The HKTB has invited renowned Dutch floral master, Mr Hans Haverkamp to Hong Kong. Mr Haverkamp is creating a giant, multi-coloured, bauhinia-shaped floral display as the show's centrepiece, symbolising the "five senses" of the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza. Promising to bring delight to the eyes and ears, the show will be complemented by cultural performances, as well as tai chi classes and floral tea tasting sessions specially arranged for visitors by the HKTB. Hong Kong Flower Show visitors can also enjoy priority seating at "The Amazing Bird Theatre" show at Ocean Park from 11 to 20 March and have photos taken with the "stars" afterwards by presenting their Flower Show admission tickets on-site. Adding a dash of colour and excitement to the Flower Extravaganza, Hong Kong will be swathed in floral blooms as a number of hotels, shopping malls and eating places display floral exhibits, complemented by other special activities. The HKTB is also repackaging and promoting tours and itineraries offering green escapes in Hong Kong. Visitors can enjoy a 20% discount if they purchase these trips during the programme period. There will also be a number of Flower Appreciation and Flower Arranging classes where Mr Haverkamp will share his skills with the participants. In addition, two special free tours are being organised for visitors. The "Flower-Feather-Fish Walking Tour - Mong Kok" takes participants to markets and stalls selling all kinds of birds, fish and flowers. Participants on this guided tour will also get a one-day pass for the Kowloon Circle sightseeing bus. The "Fragrance-in-the-Air" Central Walking Tour sets off from the colourfully decorated Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, in the vicinity of which are numerous up-market cafés and restaurants. It continues along Hollywood Road, famous for its many antique shops and incense-filled Man Mo Temple. To round off the excursion, there will be the chance to enjoy complimentary floral drinks at a participating restaurant. These tours are led by experienced tour guides twice a day with a maximum group size of 15 people. Tours are conducted in English and last about one hour (extra travelling time is needed for the Mong Kok tour). Bookings can be made on a "first-come, first-served" basis at either of the HKTB's Visitor Information and Services Centres in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. The beauty of flowers extends far beyond the visual. During the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza, leading hotels, shopping malls such as Harbour City and Times Square, and restaurants near the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator will be offering floral food and drink to visitors and residents alike. Adding more "flavour" to the programme, special offers will be available at aromatherapy spas as well as on floral print clothing and aromatic candles, in order to encourage people to indulge each and every one of their senses. Further details of the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza can be found in the "fragrant" programme guidebooks available from the HKTB's Visitor Information and Services Centres. From 4 to 13 March, the HKTB's "floral fairies" will be distributing these guidebooks when they greet visitors at the Hong Kong International Airport. Details about the programme are also available on the HKTB's Web site at DiscoverHongKong.com Through its co-ordination of these products and events, the HKTB aims to provide visitors with even more choice during their stay in Hong Kong. This should enable visitors to get a feel for the Hong Kong people's way of life, their appreciation of the beauty of flowers, and the more gentle and romantic facets of the City of Life. The Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza is the third major programme of the City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign. The tourism campaign is organised by the HKTB in co-operation with the Hong Kong SAR Government's Home Affairs Department, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Tourism Commission, with the support of the 18 District Councils and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as Principal Sponsor. |
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