HONG KONG, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Setting out to 'Link people to a brighter future', Link has become an integral part of Hong Kong by connecting all walks of life in the community. This mission gets a colourful treatment time and again as exciting new initiatives spring up to engage the whole community. This year, Link further confirms its commitment to bringing all members of society closer together with 'Link Community Tour'. As fun-laden as it is socially constructive, it invites international visitors and local residents to explore the city's hidden gems in a series of interactive journeys in various districts, with a view to promoting social inclusion through an immersive experience which encourages participation amongst locals and visitors as well as the physically-challenged.
Four Routes to Link All in a City-wide Treasure Hunt
The programme encompasses 20-plus themed tours covering four meticulously curated routes to offer participants a slice of authentic Hong Kong lifestyle from different perspectives. To encourage visitors from local and overseas to explore these routes by themselves, an informative map was prepared to make the experience more enjoyable.
The tours are:
Packing together monuments such as Murray House in Stanley Walks, Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon Walks and Ping Shan Heritage Trail in Yuen Long Walk; and leisure epicentres including some of Link's flagship malls across the city, a balanced dose of heritage sites and sleek new attractions is prescribed for each route to satisfy both the explorer and the merrymaker in each participant.
There are routes that delve deep into the daily life of Hong Kong people, in which Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association, the programme's community partner, is tapped to engage visually-impaired participants in a multi-sensory journey as they explore local customs, folklores and street eats together, thereby contributing to a caring and inclusive society while broadening participants' understanding of different fabrics of our community.
A Stellar Team for a Stellar Programme
The 'Link Community Tour' was launched today (5 September) by Link Asset Management Limited CEO George Hongchoy, who was joined by Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Stephen Ho, CEO of Greater China at Marriott International Inc., to officiate at the Kick-off Ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, George Hongchoy commented, "By throwing a spotlight onto some of the treasures on our home turf, the 'Link Community Tour' provides new perspectives for international tourists and local residents to explore and appreciate authentic Hong Kong's local culture. The programme also encourages social inclusion and interaction in our community while promoting love and care to all walks of life."
The programme also sees the formation of a partnership between Link and Marriott International Inc., with support from renowned local tour operators Walk In Hong Kong and Big Foot Tour, in parallel with the new strategic direction of the Hong Kong Tourism Board to develop local community attractions. Four participating Marriott hotels, namely the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong and Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin, will invite overseas visitors to join the locals in an immersive celebration of the city's colourful lifestyle and culture.
"We are pleased to collaborate with Link to launch the new 'Taste with Marriott' package in our hotels in Hong Kong," said Stephen Ho, CEO, Greater China, Marriott International Inc. "The exclusive package to Marriott will take our guests on a journey that explores the colourful history and culture of Hong Kong in a storytelling approach filled with beguiling anecdotes. It offers a new perspective for tourists to sample a slice of Hong Kong, which will not only attract new visitors but also connect them with the local community through interaction."
Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said, "The HKTB is dedicated to promote Hong Kong's diverse tourism experiences to visitors from all over the world. We are delighted to see the Link launching the "Link Community Tour" which help enhance visitors' tourism experience by encouraging them to discover different facets of the city and explore our unique culture."
About Link REIT and Link Asset Management Limited
Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Hong Kong stock code: 823), managed by Link Asset Management Limited, is the first real estate investment trust listed in Hong Kong, and currently Asia's largest REIT and one of the world's largest retail-focused REITs in terms of market capitalisation. Wholly owned by private and institutional investors, Link REIT is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index. With a portfolio spanning Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, we serve the community by creating vibrant and unique retail experiences that meet the needs of the people who live around our shopping centres, and providing an effective platform with which the tenants of our retail and office properties can flourish. In doing so, we enhance value for unitholders of Link REIT and support the local economy while linking people to a brighter future.
