Top finance directors visiting Hong Kong for the Asia Financial Forum were given special treatment by the tourism board. Transported via hillside tram up to Victoria Peak, guests like the former senior vice-president of the World Bank and the CEO of Hypercard American Express, were afforded a panoramic view of the Hong Kong skyline after dusk.
Asia Financial Forum is Hong Kong’s biggest financial event, attracting 3,600 participants from across the world to discuss the major trends and issues facing finance and business at large.
Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak, Hong KongOn this special tour, the Peak Tram was opened just for the delegates (the tram normally experiences significant overcrowding during the day), delivering them to the highest viewpoint in Hong Kong. Once there, they were taken to a traditional Hong Kong “cornershop” and given the chance to take in the views, before descending and heading to the harbour for a junk-boat cruise.
The backdrop of fluorescent lights from Hong Kong’s skyscrapers across the water made quite an impression on delegates as they were ferried on a wooden ship across Victoria Harbour. The response reflects this positive impression.
CEO and co-founder of Hypercard American Express Marc Baghadjian said: “I love this Aqua Luna tour! Hong Kong is so special where everybody comes to this city to do business. When we’re in the room negotiating, you don’t see how beautiful parts of the city are. But when you take a tour like this to see the stunning Hong Kong skyline and feel the vibrancy of the city, you can see the Hong Kong dream here.”
Dr. Jochen Biedermann at Victoria Peak viewpointManaging director of World Alliance of International Financial Centres Dr Jochen Biedermann (from Germany) was also impressed by the tour. He said: “Taking part in AFF [Asia Financial Forum] for exchanges is for the mind, whereas joining the night tour to the Peak on the tram was a feast for the eyes. I enjoyed it very much.”
He continued: “The Peak Tram station now is very modern, nicely illuminated and colourful. The Peak is definitely one of the most attractive points of Hong Kong for tourists and business people like me.”
Junk-boat cruise across Victoria Harbour, Hong KongFelix Katterl, partner of Soutien Group, said: “I cannot wait to come back with my wife”.
The tour was run as part of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s bid to promote MICE tourism by enhancing business travellers’ experience in the city. 100 guests from the Asia Financial Forum were offered this insiders’ look into the 4th most visited city in the world.
While Hong Kong certainly doesn’t need establishing as a destination for finance events, business travel and tourism, the tourism board is seeking novel ways to combine these visitor channels and elevate the experience of staying in Hong Kong.
