The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has appointed Dubai based, GAA-Marta Consulting as its representative in the Middle East region.
“We are delighted to have appointed a representative in the Middle East, which underlines our commitment to the region. We have identified the Middle East as an emerging market due to its exceptionally strong potential evidenced by the average of 26 per cent increase of tourist arrivals to Hong Kong from 2005 through 2007,” said Simon Mills, HKTB’s director, northern Europe.
“Our strategy in this region will initially focus on family and luxury leisure segments. We shall also actively work with the region’s trade partners to create tactical packages to continuously fuel the growth momentum of the Middle-East markets. For destination and product promotions, we shall leverage on publicity and high-impact media platforms to enhance the awareness of Hong Kong as a top-of-mind destination and optimise the market reach of HKTB’s activities in the region,” he said.
Account Manager of GAA-Marta Consulting, Vanessa Barker said, “We are absolutely delighted with this appointment. Today we have the privilege to bring a unique and stylishly new destination to the travellers of the GCC region. Although Hong Kong has mostly been viewed as the business hub of Asia there is so much more that this destination has to offer, especially for the families and friends traveling for leisure. Traffic is already starting to build up and with so many direct flights between the destination and the region, there has never been a better time to discover and experience one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations.”
Based in the new Arjaan Al Sufouh Tower of Dubai Media City, GAA-Marta Consulting, will be responsible for the promotion of Hong Kong throughout the GCC region targeting both press and the local travel trade.
Hong Kong achieved record visitor numbers of over 28 million in 2007. Of these nearly 8 per cent (over 2.1 million) came from Europe, Africa and the Middle East region – which is the largest long haul source region for visitors to Hong Kong.