The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) officially launched its Hong Kong WinterFest in Hong Kong on November 26 in a bid to help turn the winter into another peak travel season.

Hong Kong WinterFest, which will run until Jan. 2, 2005, features a diversity of world-class performances and activities, and promises to offer visitors with memorable Christmas experience.

HKTB Chairman Selina Chow said that since the introduction of the program two years ago, "we have successfully turned the winter period that has relatively fewer business and long-haul travelers into another peak travel season."

Chow noted that almost all source markets had improved and progressed to strong organic growth. This October's visitor arrivals were the best for that month, passing two million for the second time in three months.

"We are confident that Hong Kong WinterFest will give the December arrivals an extra spur," she said. "Our target is to attract 2.49 million visitors during the event period, taking our yearly arrivals even beyond our revised forecast of 21.36 million."

The HKTB has already published a Hong Kong WinterFest Activities Guide and Hong Kong WinterFest Passport to Amazing Offers to help visitors participate in the program.