Hong Kong pulls out of WTM

HONG Kong has pulled out of World Travel Market in November in order to spend more time and money focusing on its European markets.

The tourism board will plough the funds previously earmarked for the London exhibition into a European trade roadshow, during which it will visit tour operators and travel agents in Amsterdam, Milan, Paris and Stockholm.

New Hong Kong Tourism Board director for nothern Europe Mandy Round said: "In the past we have concentrated mainly on the UK market, but this year we have been focusing more on Europe.

"It's important we expand these other markets, so this year we have decided to do something different to WTM.”

Round said the money for the European roadshow had not been diverted from the UK marketing budget, which remains unchanged for the coming year.