The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is targeting India as a growing visitor market and is expecting around 5.5 percent growth in tourists from the region year on year.

HKTB representative in India Mr Sunil Puri said last year Hong Kong received around 4,98,063 visitors from India, representing 1.2 percent of the total arrivals, Economic times reported.

“However as the global economy is expected to be sluggish in 2012, which may affect visitor’s interest in outbound travel, we foresee a 5.5 percent growth in general,” Mr Puri said.

HKTB is investing HK$12.5 million to assist in promoting Hong Kong throughout India, up 14 percent than last year.

HKTB’s promotional campaign within India is focused on four cities connected to Hong Kong by direct flights, which include Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.

Additionally, HKTB will further work with travel agents to launch ‘value for money’ Hong Kong summer leisure packages which provides shopping specials and theme park offers.

“Targeting the family for phase 1 and young crowd for phase 2, the campaign will roll out through a travelogue giving first hand experience about the destination.”

The aim of the travelogue is to showcase Hong Kong and its vibrant and exciting lifestyle as well as its diversity of attractions.