Hong Kong Tourism Board Launch "Best Of All, It's In Hong Kong" Tourism Campaign

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Not only because it's just an hour and a half away, Hong Kong has so many attractions to offer for every tourist who wants to maximize his or her trip for a more memorable and worthwhile experience.

Aside from all the shopping from the numerous large malls, and amusement from all the colorful theme parks, there are so many tourists attractions to enjoy. I've learned at the event that Hong Kong also has many areas where you can hike and camp out to enjoy their mountains or wilderness.

This is why it was not surprising that Filipinos emerged as the number one tourist of Hong Kong. There is no doubt that we have totally embraced Hong Kong as our "quick" and most affordable best choice for our weekend getaways or simply to enjoy special holidays like the Christmas and New Year seasons.

But one of the many reasons why Hong Kong is often visited is also because of its culinary delights. There are so many choices to feast upon that many chefs also go there once in a while to get inspiration for their next gastronomic masterpiece.

This is the reason why the Hong Kong Tourism Board has focused on "food" as a campaign theme to attract us even further to come and visit Hong Kong more often. They've tapped select chefs to become their ambassadors for their Hong Kong Tourism ads with a campaign slogan of "Best of All, It's In Hong Kong", and their list of endorsers included Chef Margarita "Gaita" Araneta Fores, an internationally renowned chef from the Philippines who's already making waves globally for her amazing creations.

For those new in the restaurant scene, she was one of the two chefs who prepared the welcome dinner for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders during the APEC Summit in November 2015. She was also hailed as the first Filipino who won the Asia's Best Female Chef for 2016 by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants awards council.

At a media launch held at the Ascott Hotel in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig, Chef Margarita or Gaita for short was excited to share to the event attendees how she prepared the dishes they served during the Hong Kong Tourism Board's "Best of All, It's In Hong Kong" media launch. If you want a complete explanation, I've recorded them on video which are available on our official YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/wazzuppilipinas

Wanting an exclusive, I also personally interviewed Chef Gaita for a more intimate explanation and other inquiries that you may find interesting.

My exclusive one-one-one interview with Chef Margarita "Gaita" Araneta Fores

Crab Trio Sformato with Chinese Black Vinegar, Negros Muscovado Glaze, Organic Greens, Calamansi Perfume, Inspired by the Shanghainese Hairy Crab & The Chairman

Hand-made Egg Taglierini, Asian Bolognese Minced Pork and Cured Goose Liver Sausage Ragu, and Organic Peanut 

Spotted Philippine Garoupa "in Catoccio" Cordillera Black Rice, Hong Kong Cured Meat Trio Xiaoshing Wine, Balsamico di Modena and Mindanao Sakurab Onion

Spiced US Angus Short Rib "Adobo" with Davao Chocolate, Negros Cinnamon, Five Spice, Philippine Soy - Chinese Plum Sauce, Pickled Bitter Gourd and Palm Heart Atchara, Rosella Chinese Barley inspired by Glazed Pork Spareribs in Plum Sauce 

Salted Egg Pannacotta with Coconut Caramel Sago Pearls, Warm Pili Milk, Batangas Coffee Coral and Red Bean Ensaimada

I also made individual videos and photos of each dish so you could actually see them as served to us. To give you an overview of how they were, I must say that I loved everything from start to finish - from starter to dessert. Chef Gaita has outdone herself again. But don't get my word for it, Chef Gaita has revealed in the interview that the dishes will also be served at her Grace Park restaurant so this is your chance to taste them as well.

More photos can be found at our official Facebook fan page at http://www.Facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas

The detailed explanation of the dishes can be hear and seen at our other videos during the "Best of Al, It's In Hong Kong" campaign launch:

More videos from the media launch can be found at our YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/wazzuppilipinas

Below is the official press release for the Hong Kong Tourism Board "Best of All, It's In Hing Kong" tourism campaign media launch:

Hong Kong’s latest global marketing campaign inspires Chef Margarita Forés to share the best tastes and experiences Hong Kong has to offer through specially-created dishes 

Hong Kong Tourism Board today launched a new marketing campaign in the Philippines, titled ‘Best of All, It’s in Hong Kong’ to highlight the rich diversity and quality of experience the city has to offer to visitors around the world.

Four videos starring local personalities and the city’s stunning skyline and scenery showcase the very best of Hong Kong – focusing on gourmet dining, fashion & entertainment, family adventures by land, sea and sky, and the Great Outdoors – all introduced by locals who know Hong Kong best.

Ms Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board, shared, “We want Filipino visitors to see, feel and have a taste of the best Hong Kong can offer through the eyes of locals via this campaign. From the videos, Filipinos can discover the breathtaking intensity, surprising contrasts, rewarding variety and captivating style, within Hong Kong. This new brand campaign will take Hong Kong to new heights as a destination by connecting and inspiring Filipinos, especially young people and families, to travel to Hong Kong and experience the best and most authentic Hong Kong moments.”

A core must-have experience of Hong Kong is ‘Dining’. Boasting a vast diversity of dining experiences from unique local street food to Michelin-starred restaurants to world-class international cuisine, Hong Kong allows travelers to eat the entire world within the city – making it a true “culinary capital of Asia”.

Chef Margarita shares her love for Hong Kong and how Hong Kong inspires her

One thing that always connects Filipinos to Hong Kong is the shared love for food. Asia’s Best Female Chef, Margarita Forés’ strong passion for Hong Kong has landed her an opportunity to be part of the filming of the gourmet dining video, and also inspired her to create a special menu that fuses Filipino and Hong Kong flavors.

“I am honored to be able to marry two of my favorite things, Hong Kong and my passion for cooking, and contribute to Hong Kong’s latest brand campaign,” shares Chef Margarita. “I hope that through my specially-created dishes, fellow Filipinos will be able to savor the best tastes and experiences Hong Kong has to offer, and discover Hong Kong to create their own unique authentic experience.”

She also adds, “For Filipinos, food means celebrations, togetherness and hospitality. It is no surprise why we keep flying to Hong Kong, to enjoy an exciting variety of food options. Personally, I love exploring traditional dishes that reflect the heritage and cultures of Hong Kong.”

Apart from the food, Hong Kong is also Chef Margarita’s favorite travel destination because of its booming and stylish fashion scene. The city’s attractions also never fail to delight families, just like Chef Margarita who used to bond with her son by visiting Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.

Chef Margarita is also amazed by the less known side of the city - natural landscapes. Hong Kong has green mountains, beaches and outlying islands to explore and enjoy the natural breathtaking scenery; suitable for Chef Margarita’s healthy lifestyle.   

Philippines tourism trends / outlook

The Philippines remains an important source market with more than 700,000 Filipinos visiting Hong Kong each year.

In 2016, visitor arrivals from the Philippines recorded a healthy double-digit growth and this growth momentum will continue. This shows that Hong Kong is still a very popular destination for Filipinos, particularly in celebrating occasions, enjoying theme parks and attractions, shopping and café hopping; as well as exploring the outlying islands and embarking on hikes to appreciate the natural scenic beauty.

For more information, log on to discoverHongKong.com/best.

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