Informa Markets Partners with Hong Kong Tourism Board to Launch 'The Festival of Connoisseurs' in Hong Kong

Informa Markets and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch The Festival of Connoisseurs in Hong Kong, with the first edition scheduled for November 2026 and a full-scale expansion in 2027.

Concept:
A luxury lifestyle platform showcasing nine “worlds of connoisseurship” — Marina, Marque, Vault, Galerie, Passage, Estate, Zenith, Vitalis, and Culinaire.

Format:
Adopts a “City-as-Your-Showroom” model, transforming Hong Kong’s landmarks and cultural districts into immersive festival venues.

Global Expertise:
Draws on Informa’s portfolio of leading luxury events, including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Top Marques Monaco, and Cityscape.

Strategic Fit:
Aligns with Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s “super-connector,” supporting yacht tourism, arts trading, and high-end visitor markets.

Strategic Importance
- Hong Kong ranks among the top three global arts trading centres and has the fourth-highest concentration of ultra-high-net-worth individuals worldwide.
- The festival strengthens Hong Kong’s positioning in luxury tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions).
- Directly supports Hong Kong SAR Government initiatives, including “Tourism is Everywhere” and yacht economy development.

Stakeholder Perspectives
- Dr. Peter Lam (HKTB Chairman): Highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” between Mainland China and the world.
- Margaret Ma Connolly (President & CEO, Informa Markets Asia): Framed the festival as a long-term luxury show platform for Asia, leveraging Informa’s global luxury portfolio.

This initiative positions Hong Kong as a living luxury universe, blending East-meets-West culture with global brands and immersive experiences.