HKTB expands ‘Hong Kong Pals’ programme to promote hospitality culture

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has expanded the “Hong Kong Pals” volunteer programme to recruit more people with a passion for tourism to become hosts for visitors. 

It comes as the HKTB is promoting in phase the hospitality culture targeting the trade, the community, and the public, to enhance visitors’ experience in Hong Kong.

The new round of the “Hong Kong Pals” volunteer programme is accepting registration from the public starting today (24 April) to 31 May. Volunteers shall be friendly and hospitable, and well-versed in any one of tourism-related aspects, such as traditional local culture, shopping, food and drinks, green tourism, arts, culture, and entertainment.

They shall also speak fluent Cantonese, English and Mandarin, and ability in any other languages would be an advantage. Applicants are required to undergo a series of interviews and selection before becoming one of the Hong Kong Pals.

To imbue new youthful energy into the programme, the HKTB hosted briefings in different universities and tertiary education institutes to introduce the Hong Kong Pals programme and the details to students of tourism and hospitality. HKTB is also inviting instructors from universities and tertiary education institutes to nominate students with good potential to join the programme.

Selected registrants will become a Hong Kong Pal upon completion of an all-round training provided by HKTB. The training consists of a series of workshops in hospitality and storytelling and guided tours to get a first-hand experience of Hong Kong’s tourism products, attractions, and cultural and entertainment offerings.

Successful registrants will receive all-round training to serve in HKTB’s visitor centres and HKTB’s mega events, sharing Hong Kong’s lifestyle and culture with visitors from around the world and offering a local perspective on authentic tourism experiences.

Dane Cheng, executive director, HKTB, said, “Stepping into its 15th anniversary, the Tourism Board’s ‘Hong Kong Pals’ volunteer programme carries a significant meaning. This year, we hope our Hong Kong Pals can demonstrate our hospitality culture and encourage the public to promote it together, hence enhancing the visitors’ experience in town.”

“In the meantime, we are also actively recruiting students from various tertiary education institutions with a view to bringing in young, new talents to the programme and imbuing the team with youthful and vibrant energy. We hope the new and seasoned volunteers can work in tandem to pass on the idea and belief of the volunteer programme, and uphold Hong Kong’s reputation as a hospitable travel destination,” Cheng added. 

First launched in 2009, “Hong Kong Pals” has recruited more than 100 local public from all walks of life, including students, corporate managers, teachers, medical practitioners, civil servants and many more. According to the release, they have contributed a total of 70k hours of volunteer service over the past 14 days.

Don’t miss: HKTB and HOY TV promote hospitality culture with reality TV show

Back in March, the HKTB partnered with local broadcaster HOY TV to roll out an eight-episode reality show to put Hong Kong’s service quality to the test and demonstrate hospitality spirits.

Also known as "Undercover service squad" 臥底服務團, the programme puts Hong Kong’s service quality to the test, exploring the dining, hotel, attractions and shopping experiences in Hong Kong to present the authentic side of Hong Kong’s quality services.

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