LOS ANGELES, Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Hong Kong welcomed its 40 millionth visitor, American Nancy Ryan from Chicago, ILL., by way of Cathay Pacific flight 807, with a reception held at The Peninsula Hotel commemorating a record-breaking year for tourist arrivals. This occasion will mark the first time in history that Hong Kong has reached 40 million visitors within a single year. Ms. Ryan and several members of her family were greeted with remarks from Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr. Gregory So, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Chairman, Mr. James Tien, HKTB Executive Director, Mr. Anthony Lau, along with representatives from local travel trade, namely Regional Director of Marketing - China of The Peninsula Hong Kong, Mr. Simon Yip and Corporate Affairs Director of Cathay Pacific Airways, Ms. Quince Chong - to officially announce this milestone.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111221/NY26540 )
In addition to the ceremony, Ms. Ryan and her family will be honoured guests at various special programs, including Hong Kong's New Year Countdown Celebrations on December 31. Gifts have also been prepared by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to make Ms. Ryan's inaugural visit to Asia's World City an unforgettable one.
Special gifts included a helicopter ride above Victoria Harbour offered by The Peninsula Hotel, which was accompanied with deluxe accommodations, daily breakfast for two, and legendary afternoon tea at The Lobby. Other gifts include two business-class return flight tickets between Hong Kong and Chicago sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways, complimentary admission tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland, Madame Tussauds, Ngong Ping 360, Ocean Park and sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, passes for the Big Bus Tour and the Peak Tram and cash coupons for dining at Jumbo Kingdom.
Additionally, Ms. Ryan and her family will enjoy a ride on the Chinese junk Duk Ling under the Hong Kong Cultural Kaleidoscope program, Museum Weekly Passes managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, a one-day Hong Kong guided tour and a hamper of Hong Kong's iconic souvenirs. The total value of Ms. Ryan's gifts and special programs are worth nearly $30,000.
HKTB also announced today that Hong Kong's tourism experienced a monthly record of 3,552,733 visitors in November, up 16.4 percent year-on-year. Moreover, for the first 11 months of 2011, visitor arrivals from the U.S. increased by 2.9% year-on-year, reinforcing that Asia's World City continues to provide diverse appeal for both leisure and business travelers.
For more information visit www.discoverhongkong.com/usa and follow the latest news on Twitter (@hongkongtourism).
SOURCE Hong Kong Tourism Board
