The Hong Kong Tourism Board has appointed Discover The World Marketing as its first official representative in Russia to enable HKTB to forge more direct and closer relationships with the country's travel trade, and expand the marketing reach in Russia.

Anthony Lau, executive director of the HKTB, said that the Board, through its offices in Europe, had been implementing various promotions in Russia and working closely with Russian travel trade on offering travel packages in the past. "In view of the rapid development of the Russian market and its growth potential, we see the need to appoint a local representative to respond more efficiently to market demand and to spearhead targeted marketing programmes," he said.

The HKTB has been actively promoting Hong Kong in Russia. The Board is currently hosting a visit by a crew from TV Rossiya, one of the country's leading public broadcasters, who will film a five-part series depicting a range of recommended activities for visitors to Hong Kong. The series' screening will coincide with the launch of the "Hong Kong Week in Russia" programme in late September.

In the three consecutive years since 2004, arrivals from Russia to Hong Kong grew by more than 30% (71.4% in 2004, 32.6% in 2005 and 31.3% in 2006). The first six months of 2007 also witnessed vigorous growth with Russian arrivals reaching 15,955, a rise of 18.4% over the same period last year.

"Russian visitors constitute a high-spending segment who typically visit Hong Kong, Mainland China and other places in the region on multi-destination itineraries. As well as shopping, they enjoy heritage and cultural aspects of this city. We will ride on the 'Year of China 2007' in Russia, the Beijing Olympics and the equestrian events in Hong Kong next year to strengthen our exposure, and enhance the awareness of Hong Kong as one of the world's most popular travel destinations," Lau added.

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