HKTB invites South Korean stars and visitors to promote trail running tourism

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launch a running-themed tour for South Korean travellers to immerse themselves in the city’s urban and natural landscapes, drawing over 140 visitors from South Korea.

Also known as "Hong Kong Outdoor Festival”, the event follows last year’s inaugural "HK Great Outdoors Festival", which featured various sports activities such as yoga, night running and hiking. HKTB South Korea director Kim Yoon-ho cited it as evidence of the strong appeal of green tourism and outdoor sports-focused vacations among South Korean travellers. 

Don't miss: HKTB partners Klook to launch outdoor sports tour for Korean travellers

As health-conscious millennials and Gen Zs in Korea increasingly embrace active lifestyles, the HKTB will continue to shape tourism through sports and promote the city as an outdoor destination by bringing together health and wellness and Hong Kong’s stunning natural beauty, he added.

Done in collaboration with online travel platform Klook, airlines and industry stakeholders, this year’s festival took place on 15 and 16 February, seeing over 140 South Korean visitors, including sports-loving celebrities, athletes and influencers. They included actress Im Se-mi from the Netflix series The Whirlwind; Jun Woong-tae, a modern pentathlete and Asian Games double gold medalist; and an influencer on the four million-subscriber YouTube fitness platform Allblanc TV. The high-profile KOLs also shared their firsthand experiences of outdoor activities in Hong Kong with their global fans on social media platforms, according to the release.

Participants chose from three distinctive running routes. The first route offered a scenic morning jog on Victoria Peak, allowing runners to enjoy panoramic views of Victoria Harbour along tranquil, tree-lined trails. After warming up, the runners regrouped at Sky Terrace 428 in the Peak Tower for an opening celebration of the festival, taking in views from the city's highest observation deck.

The group then moved to the Central Harbourfront, where they continued to experience the city's nighttime energy while running along the coast. They were led by former South Korean national track athlete Jang Ho-jun and marathon runner An Euntae, accompanied by the city's skyline.

Before concluding their experience, the participants took part in a trail run along the Dragon’s Back mountain ridge trail, recognised by CNN Travel as one of the world's best hiking trails. Guided by professional coaches, the runners navigated the challenging, zigzagging route that rises above the city's activity, offering views of both the coastline and mountainous scenery.

Don’t miss: HKTB partners Klook to launch outdoor sports tour for Korean travellers

The HKTB is committed to establishing Hong Kong as a premier destination with well known trail races by inviting world-class runners to participate in various events. The city recently hosted three such races—TransLantau and Oxfam Trailwalker in November last year, followed by Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon in January, seeing over 3,700 participants from mainland and overseas visitor source markets. According to HKTB, 70% of runners in Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon were visitors, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a top destination for nature-driven tourism. 

Looking ahead, HKTB will continue to work closely with travel agencies and industry partners to expand its outdoor tourism offerings, inspiring travellers to discover the city’s natural beauty.

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