Fall 2009

USA Media Contacts:

Lillibeth Bishop (323) 938-7265 / lillibeth.bishop@hktb.com
Danielle Rivera (310) 938-7274 / danielle.rivera@hktb.com
Diana Budiman (212) 421-3382 / diana.budiman@hktb.com

TOP NEWS
 
Bill Flora Named HKTB Director-USA
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has appointed William B. Flora
director, USA. With 30 years of marketing experience to his name, Flora will
lead the HKTB US team in formulating and executing Hong Kong’s marketing
strategies in the USA, its fourth largest source market. Flora has held senior
operational and management positions for Foote, Cone & Belding and TBWA
\ CHIAT \ DAY. Before joining HKTB, he was senior vice president / group
management supervisor of Dailey & Associates, heading the Princess Cruises
& Cunard Line accounts. He is based in HKTB’s USA headquarters in Los
Angeles.

Food & Wine Year: 10-Day Spotlight Events

The main event of Hong Kong’s Food & Wine Year will be a 10-day
citywide “Hong Kong Food & Wine Year Spotlight Events” from
October 30 to November 8, the grand finale to a successful campaign
highlighting the gastronomic thrills of Hong Kong:

• Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival: HKTB will stage its first large-scale
outdoor fine wine and gourmet event at West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, with 140
booths showcasing the finest international brews, local award-winning cuisine and classic gourmet fare.
Visitors and locals in Hong Kong can enjoy pairing of wine and food, on-site wine appreciation classes
with sommeliers, live music, dance performances and multi-media light and music shows.
• Street Carnival in Central District: Street carnivals will take place in two renowned food districts
in Central – Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo – Nov. 6-8. The Lan Kwai Fong Carnival will be themed around
South American gastronomy and culture, while SoHo Wine & Dine Carnival will spotlight fine wine,
specialty foods and fine music. The two carnivals will together offer 110 booths providing wine, food and
interactive games.
• Special Activities Throughout 10 Days: In addition to the main events, visitors and residents can enjoy
various privileges extended by partnering hotels and restaurants located in the major tourist districts
during the 10-day extravaganza – such as special discount menus, complimentary dishes or beverages, and
“buy-one, get-one free” offers.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

  The Upper House: A Retreat Like Home

The Upper House is an oasis of serenity and opened Oct. 2 in the busy
streets of Hong Kong. Designed with understated residential calmness
by Andre Fu, hailed by Condé Nast Traveler as “Asian Design Sensation,”
the property utilizes natural materials, distinctive sculptures and original
artwork to create an intimate ambiance, while its contemporary design
and lavish amenities provide ultimate comfort. The restaurant, Café
Gray Deluxe, marks the return of celebrated New York chef Gray Kunz,
famed for his unique blend of European classics and signature dishes
from Asia and the United States.
Heli-Tea at the Peninsula Hotel  
For uninterrupted views of scenic Hong Kong topped with afternoon
tea at Hong Kong’s famous Peninsula Hotel lobby, Splendid Tours and
Travel introduces its new High Flyer tour. The package includes a five-
minute Victoria Harbour flight-seeing excursion, afternoon tea in The
Lobby of The Peninsula, and coach transfer between World Trade Centre
in Causeway Bay and Wanchai heliport. Price per person is US$139,
minimum of 2 people.

Hullett House – A Celebration of Hong Kong’s Heritage

Opening this fall, Hullett House is located at 1881 Heritage, the former Marine Police Headquarters
recently transformed into a high-end shopping site in the bustling Tsim Sha Tsui district. Under the
creative vision of David Yeo, founder of the aqua restaurant group, the boutique hotel will boast 10 design-
led rooms with all the modern amenities of a contemporary hotel. Five restaurants and bars will mix an
old British-style pub with its own jail cells, contemporary European dining and a gourmet restaurant.

Ocean Park’s New Ocean Express Officially Opens

Now there is a new way to get around Ocean Park with the introduction of Ocean Express, a funicular
train that shuttles guests between the Park’s two main areas – Waterfront and Summit – in less than three
minutes. Designed to resemble a submersible vehicle, the train travels through a 1.3-kilometer tunnel and
simulates a journey through the ocean.

Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees Hotel “Takes Off” October 2009

Located near the former Kai Tak Airport, this luxury hotel is the latest property of Harbour Plaza Hotels
& Resorts. Guests seeing the lobby the for first time might mistake it for the inside of Italy’s Leaning
Tower of Pisa, thanks to the optical illusion effect of the design. Slated to open mid-October 2009,
the hotel features 702 rooms including 104 suites with flat screen TVs and Internet access. For more
information, including meeting services and special offers during the opening period, visit www.harbour-
plaza.com/hp8d.
“farm the Organic Spa”
Conveniently located in Central, Hong Kong’s prime business district, is
a hidden sanctuary and Hong Kong’s first organic spa. Upon entering
the “farm,” guests are transported from the bustling city to a peaceful,
tranquil pampering haven - which includes views of the Hong Kong
Botanical Garden and relaxing facial and body treatments that use
only certified organic products. For more information, visit www.
farmtheorganicspa.com.
 

UPCOMING EVENTS

  Hong Kong Hiking Festival - Oxfam Trailwalker

October to March is Hong Kong’s outdoor season and annual Hiking
Festival, when cooler weather prevails and folks get out into the
surrounding green hills and valleys. The first event of the Hiking Festival,
“Great Outdoors Hong Kong!” takes place Oct. 3-31 and will
kick off green celebrations anchored by the Oxfam Trailwalker,
one of the city’s largest annual fundraising hiking events that contributes
to fighting poverty and suffering around the world.

Hong Kong To Host 2009 East Asian Games (EAG)

From Dec. 5-13, more than 3,000 elite athletes from all over Asia will
gather in Hong Kong to vie for gold in one of the region’s major
international sporting events. The East Asian Games is held only once every four years, and 2009 marks
the 5th competition ever and Hong Kong’s largest international multi-sport event in history. The Games
will take place in various locales, including the Hong Kong Coliseum, Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground,
Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Hong Kong Stadium. With participation from countries like Korea, Japan,
Guam, and Mongolia, travelers visiting the city during the Games will have no shortage of astounding
physical skill and adrenaline-pumped competition to enjoy.

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