Hong Kong tourism celebrates Year of the Snake, reports increase in Canadian arrivals

STORY BY KATHY BUCKWORTH

While the Chinese New Year official rings in on January 29, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office struck early with a celebration of the Year of the Snake on Thursday night (Jan. 23), playing host in Toronto at the TIFF Lightbox.

Amidst an enthusiastic dragon dance, which incorporated traditional Chinese music as well as a disco light version of an Usher dance hit, the symbolism of the dance bringing good fortune and prosperity into the New Year was appreciated by more than 150 travel industry and media partners, who had an opportunity to have their names hand drawn by gifted Chinese calligraphy artists.

Hoi Chiu, an internationally renowned sand artist from Hong…