It’s a big year of events for Hong Kong, all marketed under the Festive Hong Kong 2010 banner, which aims to show visitors the range of attractions the destination has to offer.
The Summer Spectacular is on now until August 31 and includes events such as the Hong Kong summer sales, the Dragon Boat Carnival from July 23 to 25 and the Summer Pop – Live in Hong Kong concert from August 27 to 28. 
The last weekend in October is a huge drawcard for Kiwi travellers in particular due to the sporting matches taking place. There’s the Bledisloe Cup match with the All Blacks on October 30, the Cricket Sixes, as well as the Wine and Dine Festival (October 28 to 31) and Halloween.
“And don’t discount Hong Kong Halloween, it’s a big deal and people get all dressed up and festive,” said Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) regional PR manager Miryana Power.
Aside from these key events, Hong Kong is a year-round destination for New Zealand travellers, many who are second-time visitors.
Where the first timers usually want to see the staple attractions of Victoria Harbour, The Peak, shopping and Lantau Island for Disneyland and the big Buddha, second-timers are often after something different. 
Power said travel to Hong Kong is a mature market, with high repeat visitation so the tourism board needs to show clients the diversity of appeals on offer.
“The challenge is to keep Hong Kong fresh in the consumers’ mind,” she said.
So, the HKTB is now pushing Hong Kong’s green aspects to appeal to repeat travellers.
Seventy per cent of Hong Kong is non-urban, so for clients who want to get into the great outdoors there is lots of hiking, national parks (the Hong Kong National Geo Park) and in the summer, water sports on offer.
And the repeat market is more likely to get into these green attractions and walking, Power said.
Hong Kong’s green appeals include the national parks, hiking in places like the Sai Kung East Country Park, city parks and country parks like Kowloon Park and Aberdeen Country Park, dolphin watching, the Hong Kong Wetland Park, the Mai Po Wetlands and Cheung Chau Island.
Young professionals – singles and couples in their 20s to early 30s – are the target market of the tourism board.
These clients tend to be interested in Hong Kong’s nightlife and a combination of dining, shopping and events, as well as cultural attractions, said Power.
Other events happening in Hong Kong this year include the Hong Kong Winter Festival at the end of the year, well suited to the Europe stopover market, Power said.
Following that is the Chinese New Year celebrated in Hong Kong in February 2011.
Pictured (top): Victoria Harbour
and (bottom): Shopping in Hong Kong
Images courtesy of HKTB