Hello Hong Kong on a Budget

The Peak Tram welcomed guests at the party

Last night the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Economic Office held at Chinese New Year party at the Shangri-La in Vancouver.

They invited about 60 people to the festivities, though there wasn't much action when I arrived after 6pm. It turns out everyone had flocked to eat food! The spread? Sushi, tacos, bites like beef nestled inside Yorkshire pudding, vegetarian samosas, deep-fried shrimp, and pork belly skewers.

What about serving things that are Hong Kong-related, like milk tea, char siu bao, spring rolls and malai goh or steamed Chinese cake? 

Mo and Lim with the kendama players

After people had eaten some food and imbibed some drinks, there was a speech from Emily Mo, director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto. She spoke of how vibrant Hong Kong is, how 33 million people visited the city in the past year, and how it was holding mega events and mentioned sports first off. Everyone's minds must have probably thought of Messi right away. Guess she didn't think to modify her speech.

Mo also talked about how Hong Kong was busy doing business, particularly with the Middle East... 

Then Michael Lim, director, Americas for the HKTB spoke, trying really hard to sell Hong Kong as they destination to head to for 2024, and reiterated how there were over 80 events planned for the first few months of the year. 

A new "Hello Hong Kong" video was shown, a gweilo meeting up with a local girl and how they hang out in various places in the city. No words are said until the end when he says, "Hello". 

Lim also mentioned the "Night Vibes" campaign and said that if anyone was going to come to Hong Kong in the next few months should go get their free HK$100 coupon -- at the visitors centres. 

And what was the entertainment?

Hey use these props for Instagram pics!

The Hong Kong Freestyle Kendama Association!

Literally called "sword" and "ball", it's actually a Japanese game where players do different tricks with the ball and wooden piece that has a spike, and other carved areas to rest the ball on. 

The quartet of players showed off their talents, though one or two dropped the ball a few times. Probably nerves. Or jetlag.

And the lucky draw?

Kendama sets! And the other prizes? Macarons from Laduree! How Hong Kong!

Guess airlines like Cathay Pacific and Air Canada couldn't afford to spring any tickets... surely HKTB could have sprung some Night Vibes coupons?

As soon as the lucky draw was over, most people left. The swag handed out?

A beige piece of fabric that unfolded to reveal a set of wooden cutlery -- knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks, a straw and a straw pipe cleaner. 

Bamboo utensils, how useful...

How is this representative of the vibrant Hong Kong they had promoted? 

A totally lost opportunity to brand Hong Kong and make it a more memorable event from the food to the swag.