HKTB introduces new 'Hong Kong Pals' team with over 100 volunteers

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has introduced a new "Hong Kong Pals" team consisting of more than 100 members, after the addition of 48 new volunteers.

According to HKTB, the recruitment campaign this year has drawn the largest-ever number of applications with 440 applicants. Meanwhile, the team has assisted more than two million tourists and resolved more than 2.3 million inquiries over the past year. 

The response followed visits by the HKTB to tertiary education institutes and universities to promote the volunteer programme and encourage more young people to sign up, according to the release.

The new recruits of the programme include volunteers ranging from university students and new graduates to lawyers, engineers, teachers and lecturers, civil servants, and people from different professions. From August to October, HKTB will provide them with training in communications, itinerary planning, and photography, and invite them to join workshops and guided tours, aiming to ensure that they are ready to serve confidently in a spirit of hospitality.

Melody, who studied hotel management at university and now works for a non-profit organisation, believes becoming a volunteer is an opportunity to realise her own self-worth and to grow as a person. She expects the experience to enrich her life and contribute to her passion and professionalism in Hong Kong tourism industry.

Kenny, a management grade professional in a financial and information technology company who returned to Hong Kong from the United States, re-applied for the “Hong Kong Pals” programme after five years and became one of the members after the selection. He hopes to learn more about Hong Kong through his participation in the programme, and looks forward to the professional training arranged by HKTB, so that he can make use of what he learns in welcoming tourists in the future.

Alice Li, general manager for corporate affairs, HKTB, said, “The ‘Hong Kong Pals’ volunteer programme gathers enthusiastic locals from all walks of life. With their knowledge and skills acquired from different areas, the volunteers can work on the frontline with HKTB’s multi-award-winning visitor service team to offer timely, customised travel advice from a local’s point of view, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique spirit of hospitality.”

Don’t miss: HKTB expands ‘Hong Kong Pals’ programme to promote hospitality culture

This comes after the HKTB expanded the “Hong Kong Pals” volunteer programme in April this year, aiming to recruit more people with a passion for tourism to become hosts for visitors. 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.

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

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