THE Hong Kong Tourism Board’s (HKTB) summer promotional campaign continues until August 31 – offers on shopping, dining and entertainment are all available for visitors.
Booklets of coupons containing offers from five dining districts, four major shopping malls and various retail and catering outlets, as well as operators of attractions, transportation and museums can be picked up from the tourism board’s outlets including at the airport.
Fairly new on the Hong Kong scene are cooking classes – from all branches of the Super Star Restaurants guests can take a dim sum cooking class with at lease six people per class. The class includes a dim sum set meal and the course. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the Cantonese cuisine culture at Towngas Avenue Cooking Class, which offers private cooking workshops lasting about two hours, directed by some of the island’s top chefs, at either Causeway Bay or Tsim Sha Tsui.
'These cooking classes are relatively new, and these two in particular are ones that we have close associations with,' said Simon Mills, HKTB director northern Europe.
'These would really appeal to visitors to Hong Kong because it allows them to get an insight into one of the main things that makes Hong Kong tick – its food. To be able to learn how to make dim sum in the presence of experts offers a unique hands-on experience that really is unrivalled.'
Food lovers show also experience the Food Expo 2009, which takes place from August 13 to 17.
On the shopping front, it is worth noting that since July some retailers in Hong Kong are charging customers a small environmental levy for each plastic shopping bag provided as part of a scheme introduced by the government. Also worth noting is that there is now a smoking ban in bars, clubs, night clubs, bathhouses, massage establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises.