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The Standard •

LIV Golf teaser for fans from GBA

Ayra Wang Hong Kong Golf Club captain Andy Kwok Wing-leung expressed high hopes that the LIV Golf event, set to tee off tomorrow, will draw visitors from the Greater Bay Area. Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference yesterday, Kwok highlighted the event's potential to boost tourism and showcase Hong Kong's appeal as a world-class destination. The three-day tournament, which is set to kick off tomorrow at the historic Fanling Golf Course, will feature various zones offering dining, appar...
The Standard •

Amazing hype for Hong Kong

Ayra Wang Hong Kong's iconic skyline, the majestic Big Buddha, the rich heritage of Cantonese opera, and the thrilling Bun Scrambling Competition in Cheung Chau have all been showcased in the opening episode of popular US TV show The Amazing Race. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the city's vibrant culture and landmarks are set to captivate global audiences as the Emmy Award-winning reality series kicked off its highly anticipated 37th season. The season premiere on Wednesday featur...
The Standard •

Cruise passengers get to enjoy some wining and dining

Ayra Wang More than 8,000 mainlanders and overseas tourists from more than 30 jurisdictions are enjoying the harbor as three international cruise ships have docked in Hong Kong. Nearly 300 passengers from luxury cruise Silver Nova, calling on Hong Kong for the first time, joined the Wine and Dine Festival at Central Harbourfront yesterday afternoon. The organizer Hong Kong Tourism Board served an exclusive dinner, comprising traditional Chinese and Western dishes. Michelle Gurnee from Americ...
The Standard •

Tourism 'opportunities abound' during Islamic festivals

Ayra Wang The catering, hotel and tourism sectors are being encouraged to tap into the growing Muslim-friendly tourism market by leveraging opportunities during Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr, Commissioner for Tourism Angelina Cheung Fung Wing-ping said. Cheung's remarks came during the first-ever Ramadan Iftar dinner hosted by The Mira Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui on Tuesday, which welcomed nearly 200 guests, including local Muslims, diplomats, government officials and tourism representativ...
The Standard •

A smorgasbord of Halal-friendly dishes

Ayra Wang Over 130 local restaurants and 39 hotels have obtained halal certifications as Hong Kong is promoting Muslim-friendly facilities to attract more tourists from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Middle East. Speaking at a press conference at the IFC mall yesterday, Hong Kong Tourism Board deputy executive director Becky Ip Ching-tak said the Muslim tourism market has huge potential. "By 2028, 230 million Muslim visitors are expected with associated global tourism reven...
The Standard •

TST hotel sees surge after Muslim-friendly shift

Ayra Wang A Tsim Sha Tsui hotel has been rejuvenated after promoting Muslim-friendly facilities and services and has seen a significant increase in guests from Asean countries, which accounted for 20 percent of overall customers last year, a senior executive says. In an exclusive interview with The Standard, Alexander Otto Wassermann, Miramar Group's head of hotels and serviced apartments, said it is crucial for Hong Kong to cater to Muslim travelers' needs as the huge market will bring substa...
The Standard •

Pyrotechnic and laser shows to light up Hong Kong Sevens

A first-ever pyrotechnic display against the Kai Tak Stadium's open canopy roof, a dazzling laser show and various activities in Fan Village will be featured at the upcoming Hong Kong Sevens between March 28 and 30, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.The city’s iconic rugby tournament, which will be held in the Kai Tak Sports Park this year for the first time, will see 30 elite rugby teams competing in 72 matches, which are expected to draw thousands of fans worldwide.Organized by HKTB, th...
The Standard •

Neighborhood scenes come alive in arts headline events

Ayra Wang Hong Kong's vibrant neighborhood elements - including its iconic mahjong traditions, dynamic street art and community-inspired bars - will be showcased in the city's most prominent arts and cultural events this month, according to the Tourism Board. The four headline events - ComplexCon Hong Kong, HKwalls Street Art Festival, Art Central, and Art Basel Hong Kong - will highlight the city's unique local flavor while attracting global audiences. "HKTB also has connected with other ar...
The Standard •

Tourism 'game changer'

Ayra Wang Hong Kong could further brand itself as a must-go destination for tourists boosted by more golf facilities, according to industry veteran Dean Nelson. Nelson, general manager of Plover Cove Golf Club, operator of the city's soon-to-rise course in Shuen Wan, Tai Po, said golf tourism will help Hong Kong to attract more overnight visitors. "Hong Kong has great hospitality as a city and a lot of people, not just from the Greater Bay Area but from farther afield as Europe and Australia,...

Transport and Logistics News 

The Standard •

Low-altitude aircraft trial zone in the works

Ayra Wang University of Science and Technology plans to build a low-altitude aircraft trial zone in Clear Water Bay, which is set to start the low-altitude economy regulatory sandbox pilot scheme in the first quarter this year. It has also launched the Low-Altitude Economy Research Centre, which will integrate experts from artificial intelligence, engineering and business fields. "By harnessing our interdisciplinary strengths in aerospace engineering, AI, big data, robotics and business, we a...
The Standard •

Lawmaker slams justification of bus fare hikes

Ayra Wang Lawmaker Ben Chan Han-pan criticized the government for using historical data on the composite consumer price index and median household income to justify the recent bus fare hikes. This statement followed Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee Chung-yan's remarks on Tuesday, where she said that bus fares had increased by only 2.2 percent annually over the past 16 years, compared to a 3 percent rise in the consumer price index and a 4.2 percent increase in median household income. C...
The Standard •

New techie taxis to offer Arabic services

Ayra Wang More than 3,500 taxis, including 1,900 electric cabs, are set to enter service as soon as this month. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan announced the launch of five licensed taxi fleets at a ceremony at the Transport Department Vehicle Examination Complex in Tsing Yi yesterday. Chan emphasized the need for innovation in the taxi sector, which has faced challenges in recent years. "Many citizens have grown up taking taxis, but the industry has weathered storms and diff...
The Standard •

What a treat as scheme for pets traveling on trains begins May

Ayra Wang Hongkongers will be able to travel with their cats or dogs on light rail on weekends starting in May, with a monthly pass costing HK$99. A two-month trial program allowing passengers to bring their dogs and cats aboard light rail trains on weekends and public holidays will be introduced that month, MTR Corp announced yesterday. Under the pilot scheme, each passenger can only bring one small-sized pet dog or cat per trip. Passengers may apply for the HK$99 monthly pass through the MT...

Environment and Energy

The Standard •

Trial run 'not a waste' as issues identified and awareness raised

The waste-charging scheme has been officially shelved, with the government saying it will consider its eventual fate mid next year after ramping up the city's waste-reduction work.More than HK$170 million has been spent for the scheme, including HK$30 million for promotions, since it was passed by the Legislative Council three years ago.But Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan yesterday denied that the trial run, which started last month in 14 locations, was a "waste" since the gov...
The Standard •

John Lee calls for tech-driven solutions to ensure water supply

Hong Kong must invest in innovative ways to ensure a sustainable water supply, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said, emphasizing the integration of technology into water resource management.Speaking at the International Water Pioneers Summit 2025 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on Tuesday, Lee highlighted the government's establishment of a Digital Water Office last year to modernize water services through smart devices and artificial intelligence.The initiative aims to achieve full automation i...
The Standard •

Embrace China's world-leading charge in green power, HK urged

Ayra Wang China has become the global leader in nuclear power and electric vehicles and Hongkongers should be confident about their city's future and take advantage of the country's development, says CLP chairman Michael Kadoorie. The 83-year-old tycoon, born and raised in Hong Kong, praised China's rapid development over the past seven decades and its current leading position in nuclear energy and electric vehicles as the nation approaches its 75th anniversary. "China is growing so quickly....
The Standard •

Waste-to-energy facility to bolster green efforts

Ayra Wang The city's first waste-to-energy incineration facility is set to begin service at the end of 2025, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan announced yesterday at the Hong Kong Climate Forum. The facility is part of the city's broader strategy to combat climate change and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Tse warned that Hong Kong, a coastal city, is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather such as tropical cyclones. Citing World Meteorological Organizat...

Other News and Publications

The Standard •

New top cop vows stability, strength amid challenges

Ayra Wang New Police Commissioner Joe Chow Yat-ming vowed to make Hong Kong one of the safest and most stable places in the world, while dismissing US sanctions as attempts to distract the city from prioritizing national security efforts. He also asserted the sanctions will not impact international cooperation. Chow's remarks came after China's State Council appointed him to succeed retired commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee, following Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's recommendation. "I will...
The Standard •

Paul Chan faces push to address deficit

Ayra WangHong Kong has been urged to take a more proactive stance to address its HK$100 billion deficit, with an economic expert suggesting the authorities should sell land to foreign developers, increase non-urgent medical fees at emergency rooms while enhancing administrative efficiency.This came as the public consultation for the budget started yesterday, with Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po saying it must manage public finances "more prudently."Chinese University associate economics prof...
The Standard •

Grand design for taking fashion to the future

Ayra Wang The School of Fashion and Textiles at Hong Kong Polytechnic University aims to redefine global fashion with technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship, its dean Erin Cho said. Cho, who grew up in Seoul and studied in the United States, was appointed dean at the fashion school in 2022 when PolyU turned its 65-year-old Institute of Textiles and Clothing into an independent institution. In an exclusive interview with The Standard, Cho said she has been working to elevate the scho...