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The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced the appointment of AVIAREPS as its official representative in Russia. The appointment supports HKTB’s strategy to develop the potential of the Russian outbound market and drive further growth in visitor arrivals to Hong Kong.
The HKTB has been investing in market promotions in the country since 2008. Following the implementation of mutual visa-free access arrangement between Hong Kong and Russia in 2009 and the increase in the number of direct flights between the two destinations, arrivals from Russia showed consistent growth in the past few years. In 2010 and 2011, arrivals from Russia to Hong Kong reached 86,800 and 131,537, leapt by a remarkable 102% and 51.5% respectively. During the first quarter of 2012, over 50,000 Russian visitors arrived Hong Kong, which shows a further increase by 72.3% compared with the same period last year.
“We are excited about the robust growth of the Russian market in recent years, which is now our fourth largest source market in Europe. Riding on AVIAREPS’ professional knowledge in the travel industry, HKTB will build even closer relationship and partnership with the trade and the media in Russia,” said Mr Anthony Lau, executive director of HKTB.
“AVIAREPS is honoured to represent HKTB to promote the tourism offerings of Hong Kong, Asia’s World City to Russian travellers through our trade and PR networks. We are looking forward to a successful partnership to drive significant growth in Russian arrivals to Hong Kong,” said Mr Robert Obolgogiani, EVP Russia, CIS, Central & South Asia, AVIAREPS Group.
With the strong outbound travel sentiment in Russia expected to continue in the near future, HKTB will set up marketing activities in Moscow and St Petersburg and continue to expand into other Russian cities in future, by actively engaging the Russian travel trade and key media organizations.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
