Summer event expected to attract 40,000 visitors to Hong Kong

This year's Hong Kong International Dragon Boat races will be bigger than ever, with plans to turn the competitions into a major summer festival in Victoria Harbour and Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront. The new festival is planned for the fourth weekend of July.

The race event which dates back 35 years once was nearly broke and facing cancellation. This year the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) plans a three-day Dragon Boat Carnival that is expected to rival the Rugby Sevens as an international attraction.

"To create a strong carnival atmosphere, there will be decorations, stages, bands and music, as well as plenty of beer and delicacies," said Manson Hung, Senior Manager of Event and Product Development of the HKTB.

The HKTB is also seeking to work hand in hand with a major brewery to create a "Biergarten", replete with beer-drinking competitions.

"This year's Dragon Boat races will attract dragon boat lovers from all over the world, enhance the interest of visitors, and gain extensive world-wide media coverage," said HKTB Chairman James Tien.

The HKTB has already invited nearly 2,300 local and overseas organizations in about 70 countries and regions to take part. By Tuesday, 24 international and around 50 local teams had already registered.

"The overwhelming response is even better than expected," said Raymond Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, the co-organizer of the event.

The HKTB estimates the Dragon Boat Carnival will attract about 40,000 visitors to Hong Kong.

"This is our first time (to hold a Dragon Boat Carnival); if successful, we will do it every year," Tien said.

The Dragon Boat Carnival will cost about HK$15 million to stage. About HK$2.5 million will be spent on publicity. The HKTB will cover HK$2.5 million, and the business community is expected to pick up sponsorship for the rest.

Waterfront plans call for 1,500 to 1,800 spectator seats. "About 1,000 of them will have an admission fee. Most of the carnival area will be free," said Hung.

The HKTB will also apply for road closures to ensure adequate ground space. Special traffic arrangements may also be made on the Saturday and Sunday to cope with the activities and pedestrian traffic. Details will be announced later.

Summer is the traditional tourist season in Hong Kong. Tien predicted the event will increase interest among tourists in visiting the city in summer, stimulating the retail and restaurant business.

Tien noted visits to Hong Kong have increased 16.2 percent as of April 5 over the same period last year.

He says the outlook for this year's tourism is optimistic.

China Daily

(HK Edition 04/14/2010 page1)