HONG KONG — The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Southeast Asia Office has reappointed Ogilvy as its public relations partner in Malaysia for two more years following a pitch held earlier this year.
Effective May 2023, the reappointment will see Ogilvy continue to drive communications toward reestablishing Hong Kong as the top travel destination for Malaysians.
HKTB attributes Ogilvy Malaysia’s win to its strong media relations and fresh approach to PR and influencer marketing, as well as always having its finger on the pulse of the local market.
“Ogilvy has been an invaluable partner to HKTB over the past three years. At the height of the pandemic, Ogilvy’s creativity and ingenuity were on full display, helping us to keep Hong Kong’s attractions, food and culture alive in the hearts and minds of Malaysians. They have also continued to demonstrate a keen awareness of what’s needed over the next few years as we accelerate our efforts to stimulate overnight arrivals of Malaysians to Hong Kong. We look forward to this renewed partnership with Ogilvy to drive plans to excite Malaysians about Hong Kong,” said Raymond Chan, Regional Director of Southeast Asia at HKTB.
With the full reopening of Hong Kong’s international borders early this year, HKTB launched “Hello Hong Kong,” a global promotional campaign to entice travellers from all over the world to come to experience the city’s diverse appeals, offering 500,000 free air tickets, as well as “Hong Kong Goodies” visitor vouchers for redemption city-wide. It also marks the much-anticipated return of 250 events and festivals, including the upcoming Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and New Year Countdown Celebrations.
“We also want to introduce our new tourism attractions to Malaysian travellers such as M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum within the West Kowloon Cultural District. Together with Ogilvy, we want to share these and more with Malaysians and let them rediscover Hong Kong as Asia’s World City, no matter what drives their interests and passions,” Raymond added.
Riding on the back of “Hello Hong Kong,” Ogilvy will place its immediate focus on supporting HKTB with showcasing the city’s readiness and excitement to welcome Malaysians back to one of their favorite neighboring destinations.
“Ogilvy is deeply honored to once again be entrusted by HKTB to continue making Hong Kong matter to Malaysians, especially at this critical juncture in the city’s reopening. Kicking off our partnership with HKTB at the start of the pandemic, we really had our work cut out for us. We are thrilled that we have the next two years to fully unleash the many plans that were put on hold. We are led by a singular focus – to bolster Hong Kong’s recovery as a choice destination for all Malaysians and this includes improving awareness of Hong Kong as a Muslim-friendly destination, a key growth pillar for the city’s tourism sector,” said Sunita Kanapathy, Head of Public Relations at Ogilvy Malaysia.
Hong Kong remains one of the top five Muslim-friendly destinations among non-OIC countries.
