Arts Groups to Team up with Travel Agents

Source: SCMP

Some government-subsidised performing arts groups will join a travel agent in welcoming tour groups of mainland students this autumn in the hope of kick-starting the promotion of cultural tourism.

Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Hong Kong Repertory Theatre will take part in student tours organised by EGL Tours.

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (File photo)

Keith Kwok Siu-hung, EGL Tours' senior product development manager, said details of the itinerary were still being negotiated. A cultural exchange tour for more than 30 secondary schoolteachers from Guangzhou to be held this summer would be a trial run for potential tours for students.

Mr Kwok said visits to the performance groups might not include performances, but tours of their facilities and rehearsals would be included.

For example, the Chinese Orchestra would share its experiences in preserving traditional musical instruments and the development of Chinese music, while visitors would be taken to the props room of the Repertory Theatre, he said. Mr Kwok said it was hoped such programmes could be extended to local schools as part of the liberal studies programme.

"With online ticketing available, tourists do not really need us to buy tickets for them."

Mr Kwok said it was more effective to cater to visitors' interests in the art forms in the long run.

The Repertory Theatre's executive director, Chan Kin-bun, said the group was still negotiating details of the arrangements.

"This proves there is a market [for cultural tourism] ... and there is more than just eating and shopping in Hong Kong," Mr Chan said.

"But at the same time, we are very careful as we do not want to be turned into a profit-generator for travel agents."

Tsang Kam-sing, Hong Kong Dance Company's outreach and education officer, believed the initiative could help raise students' awareness of various art forms.

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Editor: Jessie Hwang