HONG KONG & MACAU
TIP
Introduce them to Macau’s food
specialities…“Chinese visitors come to Macau’s old town in their hundreds to buy the famous pasteis de nata (Portuguese egg-custard tart) as well as a type of dried meat similar to jerky” Neill Prothero, Far East Product Manager, Cox & Kings
from the Avenue of Stars on Kowloon’s waterfront. Just 40 miles away, and easily accessible by ferry or even helicopter, the former Portuguese colony of Macau has long been a gambling destination for mainland Chinese tourists. In recent years international casino chains have taken the place upmarket by building properties on the reclaimed land of the Cotai Strip, and Macau’s gambling revenues are said to now eclipse those of Las Vegas. Yet, as in Hong Kong, there’s a lot more going on than
you might imagine. “Macau has a unique cultural heritage and rich history,” explains Neill Prothero, “with the oldest and most complete examples of European architecture found in China today. In some parts it feels very Chinese, but you can turn a corner and think you’re in Portugal”. The two territories are a natural fi t for a two-centre holiday, and their tourism boards have a close working relationship. “With so much to see and do in both destinations we would recommend a minimum of two nights, ideally three, in each place,” says John Parker, Product Manager for Hong Kong at Premier Holidays. Many of Premier’s clients choose to explore the cultural sights and attractions of Hong Kong fi rst, before taking the ferry for a couple of days relaxing in Macau.
What’s new Cruising: Hong Kong’s new cruise terminal will open at the former Kai Tak Runway on Kowloon in June. The terminal will have two alongside berths, which can accommodate the largest cruise vessels in the world. “The fi rst berth of the new cruise terminal is expected to be operational in mid-2013,” says the HKTB’s Dawn Page, “and will have facilities to clear customs
From left: Bungy jumping off the Macua Tower; fresh fi sh at the market, Hong Kong; Senado Square, Macau.
and immigration for up to 3,000 people per hour”.
“Book a Macau stay during the weekdays as hotel prices normally go up on Friday and Saturday. It’s a popular weekend destination for locals”
NANDITA PATEL, PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE, FUNWAY HOLIDAYS
Hotels: One new Hong Kong opening to look out for is the Mira Moon hotel, which has an interior inspired by a Chinese fairytale and includes a secret garden. If it’s heritage your clients are looking for, then the colonial-era Peninsula will be unveiling its new rooms in May following a room enhancement programme.
Macau’s biggest opening last year was the Sands Cotai Central resort, featuring Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn properties. On a smaller – and more affordable – scale, the Pousada de Mong-Há was named as one of the top bargain hotels in Greater China in the 2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.
Located on a hilltop, it is a 20-room training hotel operated by the Institute for Tourism Studies. Attractions: Hong Kong’s bar scene is constantly evolving, and the city currently boasts the highest bar in the world, OZONE, which opened at the top of the Ritz
A TASTE FOR HONG KONG BY JOHN OATES
“I’d developed a taste for Hong Kong’s private kitchens –
unlicensed but often excellent restaurants in tucked-away locations –and had decided I needed to cut back on my sightseeing budget.
So I decided to try out the Cultural Kaleidoscope
programme of mostly free activities offered by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (
discoverhongkong.com).
I had pored over the timetable to see how many experiences I could pack into a single day, but things began shakily as I arrived five minutes late for the open- air Tai Chi class.
I quickly fell in line and got into the flow of things, and by the end of the day I’d also been to well-run classes in tea appreciation and feng shui. The highlight of my day, though, was sailing through Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong’s last authentic Chinese sailing junk, the Duk Ling.
You do pay for that one, but at HK$100 (about £8) it’s
understandably popular and well worth booking ahead.”
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2013 47
JOHN OATES
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76