1.2 million reasons to celebrate

1.2 million reasons to celebrate | Daily Tribune

With a record-breaking 1.2 million Filipino tourists visiting the city in 2024, Hong Kong’s popularity among Filipinos has reached unprecedented heights. At the Juan in a Million Party on 5 February, Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), made the announcement of this milestone. The occasion commemorated the momentous occasion when Hong Kong formally received its one millionth Filipino visitor.

This accomplishment is evidence of Hong Kong’s enduring attractiveness, and the relationship between the Philippines and the city has only been stronger over time. The HKTB celebrated the arrival of its one millionth Filipino guest in November 2024, underscoring Hong Kong’s continuous endeavors to provide novel and captivating experiences.

To commemorate the milestone, HKTB hosted a celebratory dinner, gathering key partners and collaborators for a special evening.

Reflecting on this achievement, Cheng expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thanks to the collective efforts of our partners, we are proud to announce that we have not only reached the historical milestone of receiving one million Filipino visitors, but have also surpassed previous arrival numbers with a record 1.2 million arrivals in a year from the Philippines. This is a remarkable achievement!”

He also emphasized Hong Kong’s continued dedication to Filipino travelers, adding, “As we look ahead in 2025, we remain committed to offering our visitors a million reasons to explore Hong Kong and bringing the city even closer to the hearts of Filipinos.”

The lucky Filipino traveler

The one-millionth Filipino visitor was Miguel Linao, who arrived in Hong Kong on 29 November 2024 with his wife Ana and their three children.

Linao shared that he had no idea he would be part of such a historic moment, as he was simply accompanying his daughter to a gymnastics competition.

Hong Kong’s record-breaking tourism numbers in 2024 were also fueled by exciting collaborations and star-powered campaigns.

The city was showcased as a hub for love and adventure through projects like Under Parallel Skies, a film starring Janella Salvador and Thai actor Win Metawin, and Be With U, a romantic music video featuring KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad.

Hong Kong also delighted food lovers with culinary collaborations, including the Four Hands Dinner, which brought together renowned chefs Margarita Forés and Vicky Cheng to celebrate the city’s unique flavors.

Adding to the excitement, KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad attended the Juan in a Million Party, inviting Filipinos to discover Hong Kong’s hidden gems.

The duo even serenaded guests with a performance of Love Is an Open Door from Disney’s Frozen, making the evening even more magical.