“Hong Kong WinterFest” set to wow tourists

Published on : Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Between 29 November 2013 and 1 January 2014, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will roll out “Hong Kong WinterFest” for the 12th consecutive year, with the highlight being “Wishes on the Wind” at Statue Square, Central. Instead of fairytale-inspired Christmas decorations, the centrepiece is a contemporary art installation comprising three larger-than-life steel dandelions, which will spread seeds of hope and good wishes amidst special music and lighting effects, creating blissful memories for visitors and local residents alike.
Three dandelions, each measuring five storeys (15 metres) high, form the art installation “WISH”, created by young American artist Mr Robert James Buchholz and appearing in Hong Kong for the first time. The artwork also consists of 18 seeds, scattered in different corners of Statue Square. From 6pm each day during “Hong Kong WinterFest”, the installation will be lit up, with the lighting effects, in tandem with music, adding colour and a festive spirit to the busy Central district.
HKTB Executive Director Mr Anthony Lau said: “Leveraging Christmas and New Year, two popular holiday periods for travellers to visit Hong Kong, the HKTB is launching ‘Hong Kong WinterFest’ once again as our promotional platform for the season. Targeting young adults and families from short-haul markets, we are packaging and promoting a series of exciting events and activities, as well as shopping offers in the city, encouraging visitors to experience the festive ambience of Hong Kong’s winter holiday season. We also expect the promotion to generate new business opportunities for the tourism and related sectors.”
“Wishes on the Wind”, the highlight of this year’s “Hong Kong WinterFest”, is jointly presented by American Express International, Inc. and T Galleria by DFS. In addition to appreciating the “WISH” installation, visitors and local residents will be able to write and put up greeting cards at Statue Square.
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to sponsor ‘Wishes on the Wind’, and herald an extraordinary festive spirit to town by offering the American Express Santa House at Statue Square, plus a variety of dining and shopping privileges exclusive to our Card Members, as a befitting close for 2013,” said Ms Susanna Lee，Vice President and General Manager, Proprietary Card Services of Hong Kong, American Express International, Inc. “We are very pleased to see our partnership with the HKTB thrive, from our collaboration in the territory-wide ‘Shop Small Big Rewards’ campaign to the American Express Wine and Dine Festival, which has been a huge success.”
Mr Benjamin Vuchot, Region President Asia North, DFS Group Limited, said: “DFS is very proud to support this year’s ‘Hong Kong WinterFest’. Year after year, WinterFest has consistently promoted a fascinating array of winter activities to visitors, inviting them to experience the diverse appeal of Hong Kong. This year, together with another major sponsor of WinterFest’s highlighted event, ‘Wishes on the Wind’, American Express, we wish to bring our clientele a wonderful shopping experience through our joint promotion. In celebration of our new T Galleria brand, we hosted a public arts exhibition along Avenue of Stars – one of Hong Kong’s most iconic tourist destinations – with assistance from the HKTB.”
During “Hong Kong WinterFest”, American Express and DFS Group Limited will also provide visitors with an array of shopping offers. Complementing this, the HKTB will promote seasonal programmes and special discounts offered by major attractions, shopping malls, dining districts and hotels, spreading festivities the way the dandelions spread their seeds of warm wishes.