The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO) welcomed over 120 guests and friends to celebrate the Year of the Snake together at a spring reception jointly hosted with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) on January 23 in Toronto. Business, cultural, academia and community partners came together and learned about the latest developments of Hong Kong on its economic and cultural fronts.
In her welcoming speech at the reception, the Director of the HKETO, Ms Emily Mo, said that Hong Kong achieved a series of encouraging results in 2024.
“We shone brightly on the world stage,” she said. “Hong Kong is recognised as the world's freest economy and the third-largest international financial centre. It has risen two places to fifth in world competitiveness, and re-entered the top 10 for talent competitiveness. The city continues to maintain the world’s top position in investment environment, international trade, business legislation, and air freight volume.”
The International Monetary Fund Executive Board just published a Staff Report today acknowledging Hong Kong’s economic recovery and resilient financial system. The Report recognised that Hong Kong’s economy is on a path of gradual recovery, reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status and function as an international financial centre and recognised that Hong Kong's financial system remains resilient, supported by robust institutional frameworks, ample room for policy buffers, and the smooth functioning of the Linked Exchange Rate System.
Looking ahead to the Year of the Snake, Ms Mo added that Hong Kong will better leverage its unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" arrangement. The city will continue to be a “super-connector” and “super value-adder,” bridging traditional and emerging markets and creating opportunities for global investors, including Canadian businesses.
At the reception, the Senior Manager of Marketing and Public Relations of the HKTB, Mr Jorge Lee, shared with participants the HKTB’s achievements in 2024 and tourism publicity initiatives in 2025.
“In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed almost 45 million travellers, with 1.2 million visitors from North America. For our Canada market, over 320,000 Canadians visited Hong Kong last year, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth rate of nearly 50 per cent. We introduced unique offerings centred around iconic events with our trade partners, bringing Canadians closer to Hong Kong's vibrant culture. To our trade partners, we extend our deepest gratitude to and appreciation for their continued collaboration.
“In the coming years, visitors to Hong Kong can expect a vibrant and evolving destination that seamlessly blends its ‘East-meets-West’ cultural identity with sustainable tourism initiatives. Hong Kong will continue to showcase distinctive experiences by integrating culture, art, sports, nature, and mega events, appealing to diverse interests.”
This year, the HKETO invited internationally renowned Hong Kong sand artist Hoi Chiu to showcase his skills at the spring reception. Through sand and his exquisite technique, the artist told the traditional story of the Lunar New Year. His performance was a perfect fusion of skill, art, and storytelling, drawing the audience into an engaging narrative world.
In closing, Ms Mo invited the guests to visit Hong Kong to experience its unique East-meets-West culture and seize the tremendous opportunities presented by Asia's world city.
The HKETO and the HKTB will jointly host a spring reception in Vancouver on January 28, celebrating the Lunar New Year with local guests and friends.
香港經貿處與香港旅發局合辦新春酒會慶祝蛇年
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處(香港經貿處)與香港旅遊發展局(加拿大)(旅發局)一月二十三日在多倫多合辦農曆新春酒會,邀請逾120位嘉賓一同慶賀蛇年來臨。商界、文化界、學術界及社區賢達聚首一堂,了解香港最新的經濟和文化發展。
香港經貿處處長巫菀菁在酒會致歡迎辭時表示,香港在二○二四年取得令人鼓舞的成績。
巫菀菁說:「我們在世界舞台上熠熠生輝。香港成為全球最自由經濟體及第三大國際金融中心,世界競爭力上升兩位至第五,人才競爭力重回世界十大,並繼續在投資環境、國際貿易、商業法規、航空貨運量等保持世界第一。」
「國際貨幣基金組織執行董事會今日發表評估報告,認同香港經濟復蘇及金融體系維持強韌。報告確認香港經濟正逐步復蘇,並再次肯定香港作為國際金融中心的地位和功能,並認同香港的金融體系在穩健的制度框架、充足的政策緩衝空間,以及聯繫匯率制度暢順運作下仍然強韌。」
巫菀菁續說,展望蛇年,香港將更好地發揮「一國兩制」下的獨特優勢,繼續充當「超級聯繫人」和「超級增值人」,連接傳統市場與新興市場,為全球投資者,包括加拿大企業,創造機遇。
旅發局市場推廣及公共關係高級經理李喬治亦在酒會上向與會者分享香港旅發局二○二四年的成就及二○二五年的旅遊推廣計劃。
他說:「在二○二四年,香港迎來4,500萬名旅客,其中120萬來自北美。單在加拿大市場,超過32萬名加拿大旅客去年到訪香港,按年增長近五成。旅發局與貿易夥伴推出具標誌性活動的獨特旅遊產品,讓加拿大旅客更了解香港多元文化,故此十分感激貿易夥伴一直與我們保持合作。」
「展望將來,訪港旅客能到訪活力澎湃、豐富多姿的景點,體驗香港中西文化匯萃的獨特文化身分與可持續旅遊措施。香港將繼續通過結合文化、藝術、體育、自然景致和大型活動,呈現獨特的旅遊體驗,滿足不同興趣的旅客。」
今年,香港經貿處邀請香港國際知名沙畫藝術家海潮在新春酒會獻技。他以沙子及精湛技術,述說農曆新年的傳統故事,表演完美融合技術、藝術與敘事,帶領觀眾進入引人入勝的故事世界。
最後,巫菀菁邀請嘉賓親臨香港體驗中西文化薈萃的獨特一面,並把握亞洲國際都會提供的龐大機遇。
香港經貿處與旅發局亦將於一月二十八日在溫哥華合辦農曆新春酒會,與當地嘉賓同慶新春。