The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) welcomed 2024 as the Year of the Dragon, at a loud and colourful gathering at Toronto’s Carlu event venue, co-hosted with the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office.
After a long pandemic shutdown, Hong Kong “is bouncing back,” said Michael Lim, Director – Americas for the HKTB. The destination welcomed 34 million visitors in 2023, and Lim says this year will see a full recovery of flight connections linking Hong Kong to the world.
Michael Lim, Director - Americas for the Hong Kong Tourism Board, with event co-host Emile Mo, Directon, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Toronto. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
“Flights are now full, the airport is vibrant and sports, culture and business events have all returned. Hong Kong is dynamic, culturally rich and endlessly progressive, and our goal is to continue as one of the world’s best destinations,” Lim told the audience.
“Strength, courage and resilience,” are traits associated with the dragon in the Chinese zodiac, said Lim, who has promoted Hong Kong as a destination with the HKTB for nearly 40 years. He and his team in Toronto have needed plenty of all of them, to weather the long pandemic shutdown and ramp back up again as tourism returns.
Michael Lim has served the Hong Kong Tourism Board for nearly 40 years. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
“Canada is a very important market for us,” Lim said, “so much so that we will be adding a new member to our team in the next two weeks.”
Hong Kong tourism is characterized by a busy calendar of “mega-events,” focused around the arts, sports and pop culture. Lim says there are 80 mega-events scheduled for this year that will act as a major draw for tourists.
Drummers lay down the beat for the dragon dance. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
“Seeing is believing,” Lim said. “There are transformative developments happening in Hong Kong.”
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