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Follow on Google News | International Chinese New Year Night Parade Brings On World Party In Cosmopolitan Hong Kong !!The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced on 11 January, 2011 that the 16th Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade will be staged on the first evening of Chinese New Year (3 February).
By: Shradha Chadha HKTB Chairman Mr James Tien said: “Last year, the tourism industry of Hong Kong achieved remarkable performance, with visitor arrivals hitting a record 36 million. This year, the HKTB will adopt the theme ‘Asia’s World City’ to promote our city’s cosmopolitan appeal and tourism attractions. Throughout the year, we will organise a series of mega events and promotions, which we hope will draw more visitors to Hong Kong, and generate greater business and employment opportunities in the tourism and related sectors. “For over a decade, the parade has been the first mega event rolled out by the HKTB each year. It has now become a must-see programme for many local residents and visitors during the Chinese New Year, which is a peak travel season in Mainland China and various short-haul markets. This year, we will continue to make use of this holiday period to promote travel to Hong Kong. We have allocated over HKD 15 million, out of which 40% will be spent in the Mainland to promote the parade and other Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong. We are also co-operating with the local and overseas travel trade on launching relevant tourism products to attract visitors to spend the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.” For the 13th consecutive year, Cathay Pacific Airways has rendered its support to the parade as the title sponsor. Chief Executive of the airline, Mr Tony Tyler, said: “As Hong Kong’s home carrier, a key part of our job at Cathay Pacific is to promote Hong Kong in overseas markets, and attractions such as the International Chinese New Year Night Parade help us greatly in this task. This spectacular event has become a big local attraction and is also a major draw for tourists from around the region. We are pleased that the Cathay Pacific float will lead the parade to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, helping to highlight how our airline connects Hong Kong to the world and brings the world to Hong Kong.” International Colours Local Flavours This year, a total of 36 floats and performing groups from 11 countries and regions will take part in the parade. Sixteen of these will appear in the parade for the first time, including the Peru Scissors Dance Troupe, which was inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization last year; the Taiwan Diabolo Group, which has won awards time and again; and the Drumcat Entertainment INC, which has represented Korea in performances around the world. At the same time, the parade will showcase distinctive cultural characteristics, such as traditional Japanese ceremonies by the Kagoshima Ogionsa All Female Mikoshi from Japan; drum performances by Shanxi Drum Troupe from Mainland China; and a resplendent float and traditional Thai dance by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. World-class performing groups will also make appearances: Spectacular Programmes along Parade Route As in last year, the parade will embark from Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm. It will then proceed along Nathan Road before making its final stop at Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. Starting from 6pm, artistic cycling and roller skating performances arranged by the HKTB will incite festivities along the parade route. There will also be cosplayers giving out Chinese New Year souvenirs, brass band, giant inflatable procession, ballet and modern dancers and a marching team to keep the audience excited. Festivities Continue into Lam Tsuen in Tai Po Immediately following the parade, the floats will be put on display between 4 and 17 February in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, as part of the Well-wishing Festival by Mega Events Fund. The HKTB will also arrange various international performing troupes to put on their acts at the festival on 4-5 February, so that local residents and visitors can watch the amazing performances in proximity. Separately, the HKTB and the travel trade in both Hong Kong and other markets have joined hands to roll out a series of tourism products and itineraries featuring different Chinese New Year celebratory events in Hong Kong, such as the flower markets, fireworks display, Chinese New Year Race Day and the above-mentioned Well-wishing Festival. The HKTB will also invite media from Mainland, other short-haul and long-haul markets to experience and report first-hand the festive ambience in Hong Kong, so as to generate international exposure and publicity for Hong Kong. # # # About Hong Kong Tourism Board The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), a Government-subverted body, the primary responsibilities of the HKTB are to market and promote Hong Kong as a destination worldwide, as well as to take initiatives to enhance the experiences of its visitors once they have arrived. This includes making recommendations to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities. The HKTB's mission is to maximize the social and economic contribution that tourism makes to the community of Hong Kong, and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as a unique, world-class and most desired destination. End
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