HKJC and Guangzhou ink deal to drive racing tourism in GBA

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HIKJC) and the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau (GZCRTTB) have inked deal to promote the unique racing tourism concept of “Two cities, three racecourses”, namely Happy Valley Racecourse and Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong and Conghua Racecourse in Guangzhou.

The memorandum of understanding is aimed at supporting Guangzhou’s ambition to become a world-class tourism destination while reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as the preeminent events capital of Asia.

Under the partnership, GZCRTTB will advocate for the inclusion of racing tourism in broader Guangdong-Hong Kong cultural, sports, and tourism initiatives. The Bureau will also support the positioning of Conghua Racecourse as a premier integrated destination for horse-themed cultural, sports, and tourism experiences. This includes promoting the “Two cities, three racecourses” concept as a joint tourism offering between Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

In addition to strengthening online and offline promotional efforts, both parties will collaborate on video production and the promotion of world-class racing events at Conghua Racecourse. They will also organise large-scale activities celebrating equine culture and sports to elevate the visibility and appeal of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a global sports tourism hub. GZCRTTB will further support HKJC’s presence at major tourism exhibitions in Guangzhou to showcase racing tourism opportunities.

The Bureau will encourage leading travel enterprises to partner with HKJC in developing horse-themed cultural, sports, and tourism offerings centred around Conghua Racecourse. These efforts will include the creation of multi-stop travel itineraries that connect HKJC’s racecourses in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, appealing to high-end domestic and international business travellers. Racing tourism is expected to become a signature element of business tourism in the GBA.

Furthermore, HKJC will collaborate with relevant media organisations and institutions in Guangzhou to enhance talent cultivation with a focus on equine sports events and horse culture promotion.

Conghua Racecourse is a paradigm of Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation, and has received strong support from the Chinese Mainland authorities at different levels and the HKSAR Government. Its ability to take forward “Three Innovations” has allowed the racecourse to stand as not only a world-class racehorse training facility but also a core engine, co-created by the Club and Guangzhou, for equine industry growth.

The innovations include seamless cross-border horse movement and quarantine and permission for Hong Kong or overseas veterinarians to practice at the Conghua Racecourse. In addition, green building technologies have been utilised for the construction of the grandstand while brand-new retail, dining, and interactive experiences will provide a platform for showcasing world-class horse racing, equine sports and horse culture.

A major milestone will be the launch of international-standard racing and a series of cultural, sports, and tourism events at Conghua Racecourse in October, underscoring HKJC’s commitment to advancing the national equine industry within the GBA and beyond.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to HKJC for more information. 

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