HKJC supports WTCF tourism summit
The 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit brought together around 800 guests from over 40 countries.
Hong Kong.- The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) supported the closing ceremony of the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit held at the Happy Valley Racecourse from April 14 to 17 as part of its commitment to promoting horseracing tourism and strengthening the city’s position as an international tourism hub.
The theme of this year’s summit was “Innovative City Branding Elevates Tourism Excellence.” This was the first time Hong Kong co-hosted this event with the WTCF.
Around 800 guests from more than 40 countries and 60 cities attended. Guests at the closing ceremony included Rosanna Law, secretary for culture, sports and tourism; Guo Huaigang, secretary-general of the WTCF; Peter Lam, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Michael Lee, chairman of the HKJC; and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the HKJC.
Rosanna Law said horse racing has been a key part of Hong Kong’s culture for over a century. She said: “It is a sport and so much more, with the club further enriching racing with cultural experiences, culinary delights and entertainment.”
Guo Huaigang noted that the summit helped participants explore tourism opportunities. Over 100 travel agencies took part, holding more than 570 meetings that generated an estimated RMB200m in business.
The HKJC plans to work with the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to develop horse racing tourism further. Horse racing tourism was mentioned in chief executive John Lee’s recent Policy Address and is part of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau0s Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0.
The HKJC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Travel Service (CTS) to promote horse racing tourism and other initiatives in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). CTS will incorporate HKJC’s Happy Valley, Sha Tin, and Conghua racecourses into its travel offerings.
See also: HKJC unveils refurbished Racing Talent Training Centre training stable
