HK pumps HK$17m to host Dragon Boat races

Hong Kong has pumped HK$17m to host the upcoming Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races and this is expected to draw at least 130k local and international visitors.

Co-organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA), the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (國際龍舟邀請賽) will take place at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront on 15 and 16 June. It will comprise 17 races, with over 170 teams from 12 countries. 

To enhance the festivities and visitor experience, the HKTB will feature new season-limited LINE FRIENDS photo spots along the Avenue of Stars from 8 June to 1 July. Classic characters including Brown, Cony, and Sally will dress up as dragon boat athletes with a summer travel vibe.

Visitors may also visit the time-limited pop-up store for Hong Kong-exclusive merchandise specially designed for the dragon boat gala and produced in collaboration with local brands.

Furthermore, the HKTB will launch a "Summer chill food lane" (嚐味當夏美食街) from 8 June to 16 June. It will feature various food and beverage stalls offering refreshing treats to help visitors beat the summer heat. Creative drinks and bites such as craft beer, bottled milk tea, cold brew coffee, coconut desserts and doughnuts will be available for purchase.

To further enhance the festive event and enrich the visitor experience of Hong Kong’s unique traditional festive appeal from day to night, the HKTB will stage a festival-themed drone show on the Dragon Boat Festival (10 June) and a pyrotechnic display on the first evening of the races (15 June).

On the evenings of the drone show and pyrotechnic display, the HKTB will offer free ice cream on a first-come, first-served basis to the public and visitors along the Wan Chai harbourfront before the performances.

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According to the HKTB, this year’s participation surpasses that of last year, in terms of both the number of participating countries and regions, and the number of dragon boat teams. In addition to teams from the Mainland, Macao and Hong Kong, there will be teams from countries such as Singapore, Japan, the UAE and Thailand. 

HKTB also welcomes the return of the popular fancy dress competition (扮嘢大賽), with teams dressing up as different characters in the race. Meanwhile, live broadcasts of the semi-finals, finals and award ceremonies will be on RTHK TV32.

Dane Cheng, executive director, HKTB, said, “Hong Kong’s calendar is packed with a wave of international events. For this year’s 'Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races', locals and visitors can spend their daytime enjoying thrilling races on the event days. As night falls, an equally captivating experience awaits."

"The HKTB will continue to ride on different events and festivals to stage a drone show and pyrotechnic display in June, complemented with the food and beverage stalls, photo spots and a time-limited merchandise store along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, to create a more festive tourism ambience," Cheng added.

Arnold Chung, chairman, HKCDBA, said, “We are excited to partner with the HKTB again to organise this annual mega gala for the dragon boat community. The HKCDBA has long strived to preserve the culture and tradition of dragon boat racing and actively drive the development of both local and international dragon boat racing."

"The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races this year have attracted many strong teams from around the world, who will surely bring to Hong Kong a series of exciting race," Chung added.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to the HKTB for more information.

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