Hong Kong's tourism minister said he is in talks with Inter Miami, the American football club captained by Lionel Messi, to arrange more activities during the team's visit next week.
Separately, the city's finance chief said on Sunday that a new inter-departmental coordinating group tasked with overseeing major events in the city has been tasked with “barriers” in various areas to maximize economic and social benefits. “We will remove these restrictions and ease restrictions.''
“We will further strengthen the exchanges of local industry with mainland Chinese partners and the international community through a series of international conferences with different themes and characteristics,” Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mopo said in a blog post.
“We actively invite guests to experience Hong Kong's unique charm and cultural atmosphere for themselves, and expand their circle of friends in Hong Kong.”
The co-ordination group is the government's latest effort to strengthen the city's appeal for hosting larger events.
Inter Miami's visit next week is one of more than 80 major events taking place in the city in the first half of this year, including festival celebrations and trade-related trade fairs such as Art Basel, the Hong Kong International Cultural Summit and pop culture. be. ComplexCon exhibition.
The football club will play a friendly against a local selection team at Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay next Sunday, and will hold a public training session at the venue on Saturday.
Messi visits Hong Kong: when will Inter Miami play, tickets, TV, itinerary
Messi visits Hong Kong: when will Inter Miami play, tickets, TV, itinerary
The trip will be led by club captain Messi, and will also see players such as forward Luis Suarez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Jordi Alba visiting the city. Tickets for the match are already sold out.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Secretary Kevin Yong Yun-hung said on Sunday that the government would use the visit as an opportunity to promote Hong Kong, as the city will be in the spotlight during Messi's stay.
“We are also thinking about ways to promote tourism and promote Hong Kong, and whether we can incorporate cultural activities.” [during their stay]'' he said on a radio show.
“Of course, we want to bring them into the city so that their visit indirectly helps with promotion.”
Yong emphasized that discussions are still in the preliminary stages and details are not clear at this time.
“We also have to take into account that they themselves have different considerations, which can complicate the discussion process,” he said, adding that the government respects Inter Miami's time and wishes. .
Critics have accused Hong Kong authorities of lagging behind other countries in lifting travel restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with organizers of large events choosing other locations such as Singapore.
Yen urged the public to refrain from making comparisons based on location, as the selection process for each event often takes into account a variety of factors.
“While you can definitely focus on a particular event and ask why Singapore was chosen as the venue rather than Hong Kong, you will also find many events that are held in Hong Kong rather than Singapore,” he says. said.
Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami in Hong Kong 'barring illness or injury'
Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami in Hong Kong 'barring illness or injury'
British rock band Coldplay are currently in Singapore as part of their “Music of the Spheres'' world tour. American superstar Taylor Swift is also scheduled to visit the state for her Ellas concert tour.
A massive drone show will take place over Wan Chai's waterfront this weekend, featuring more than 1,000 quadcopters choreographed to recreate Hong Kong's skyline and neon signs to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Yong said the 80 major events will help Hong Kong prove that it can host large-scale shows after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as attract more tourists and create jobs. said.
Hong Kong to attract more top artists including Taylor Swift and Beyoncé: Tourism chief
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He added that he hopes to use Inter Miami's visit to promote the development of sports in the city.
The Tourism Director earlier revealed that some players from the football club will meet with young local athletes to encourage them to pursue their football dreams.
He added that the tourism board will serve as a contact point to connect with organizers around the world and try to persuade them to hold large-scale events in the city.
