HKTB INVITES RESIDENTS TO SHARE THEIR LOCAL FOLKLORE TALES

To help spread the “Know Hong Kong” message through the community and inject further “life” into the City of Life: Hong Kong is it! tourism campaign, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) today (21 June) launched a programme inviting residents to share their legends, folklore and stories about Hong Kong.

The programme, “Tell Your Hong Kong Story” starts today and continues until the end of July.

From today until early August, a series of City of Life: Hong Kong is it! roadshows will be held at six major shopping malls, namely Times Square (Causeway Bay), Maritime Square (Tsing Yi), Discovery Park (Tsuen Wan), New Town Plaza (Sha Tin), Plaza Hollywood (Diamond Hill) and the World Trade Centre (Causeway Bay).

Apart from adding an extra dimension to the city’s attractions and festivals and highlighting the attractions in Hong Kong’s 18 districts being promoted through City of Life: Hong Kong is it!, the roadshows will feature the HKTB’s “Be A Good Host” programme, which encourages better service and a more sincere attitude towards visitors.

Some of the “Tell Your Hong Kong Story” judging panel attended today’s launch ceremony. They were veteran broadcaster Lee Ngor; Head of the Hong Kong Baptist University School of Communications Cinema & Television Department, Dr Ng Chun Bong; media consultant Wai Kee Shun; and Chinese and Hong Kong history expert, Chan Sui Jeung. Other judges include City of Life: Hong Kong is it! Publicity and International Marketing Sub-committee member, Alan Wong; well-known fashion designer William Tang, and broadcaster, Chung Wai Ming.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the HKTB’s Chairman, The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, JP said that having interesting stories to share with visitors makes promoting a destination easier. “Today, the success of marketing relies not only on promotional strategies but also the provision of information with ‘human’ elements, and ‘life’,” she said.

“There should be a story behind every tourism product and these stories should capture Hong Kong’s unique way of life, and the pride and pleasure residents have in their city. We’ll be making sure this type of information can be available in the marketplace,” Mrs Chow added.

Residents can enter the “Tell Your Hong Kong Story” by sending in stories via a telephone hotline, facsimile, e-mail or on cassette tape. Submissions must concentrate on Hong Kong folklore in the categories of history; district attractions; festivals; heritage, historic relics and traditional lifestyle.

Entries will be screened according to their appeal, credibility and readability. Prizes will be awarded to the selected submissions. The most interesting stories may at a later date be developed into feature articles to be used by the local press, overseas media and the HKTB’s offices around the world.

Apart from submissions from residents, the HKTB is interviewing personalities who can share legends, folklore and stories about Hong Kong. The collected information will be uploaded onto the HKTB’s home page DiscoverHongKong.com/story.

The HKTB is co-organising the City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Home Affairs Department, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Tourism Commission, in association with the 18 District Councils, with the generous support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as Principal Sponsor.

From now until 2003, the HKTB is correlating attractions in the 18 districts, as well as co-ordinating and organising various types of events and activities suitable for both overseas visitors and the local community. This serves to attract more visitors as well as encourage residents to explore different districts in Hong Kong and cultivate a greater hospitality culture.



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The Hong Kong Tourism Board was formerly known as the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA). The change took effect from 1 April 2001 and reflects a change to the tourism body’s constitutional structure. Its primary responsibilities for marketing and promoting Hong Kong as a destination worldwide, and for providing visitors with assistance when they arrive, remain unchanged.