SCST continues visit to France (with photos)
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The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Bordeaux, France, in the company of the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Dr Peter Lam.
On the morning of July 7 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law met with the President of the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), Mr Allan Sichel. The CIVB, responsible for promoting Bordeaux wines globally, discussed opportunities to enhance collaboration with Hong Kong. Miss Law highlighted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG)’s efforts to host signature mega events, including the annual Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, which provides unique experiences for visitors. She invited the CIVB to make further, and even better, use of Hong Kong as a platform to promote Bordeaux wines to the Mainland of China and other markets in Asia. Both parties exchanged ideas on creative approaches to attract a global audience and elevate the event’s appeal.
Later, Miss Law met with the Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Pierre Hurmic; the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux, Ms Céline Papin; and the President of the Bordeaux Tourism and Conventions Office, Ms Brigitte Bloch. During the meeting, Miss Law highlighted the HKSARG’s and the HKTB’s intention to build on the unique brand of the Wine and Dine Festival to make it a platform for fostering cultural exchanges and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and Bordeaux. Mr Hurmic expressed enthusiasm for increasing the presence of Bordeaux wines in the Chinese and Asian markets through a strong presence in the festival.
In the afternoon, Miss Law held discussions with the President of Great Wine Capitals Global Network, Mr Jacques Faurens; the Director General of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Pascal Faugère; and the Chief Executive Officer of Vinexposium, Mr Rodolphne Lamseyse. They discussed the challenges of marketing Bordeaux wines during the current economic conditions and explored best practices for organising international trade shows and events. Miss Law emphasised the potential for Hong Kong and Bordeaux to collaborate in enhancing each other’s attractiveness as global tourism destinations.
Miss Law also met with France’s Minister for Tourism, Ms Nathalie Delattre, to explore ways to strengthen tourism connectivity between Hong Kong and France. She highlighted Hong Kong’s unique offerings, including its gastronomy, arts, sports, traditional festivals, mega events and stunning outdoors as key attractions for French audiences. Miss Law introduced the 2025 Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, scheduled for October, as an excellent opportunity for Bordeaux wines to gain greater visibility. Ms Delattre reaffirmed the strong relationship between Hong Kong and France with regards to wine and other fields, and expressed her commitment to fostering collaboration in bilateral tourism.
Miss Law was given a guided tour of La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s iconic cultural centre and wine museum dedicated to promoting the universal culture of wine. The immersive and sensory exhibits provided an inspirational exploration of wine’s journey from ancient civilisations to modern-day winemaking. Miss Law was impressed by its creative storytelling and remarked on the potential for similar initiatives to promote cultural heritage in Hong Kong.
On July 8 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law visited two Bordeaux wineries, Château L’if and Château Le Pin, where she deepened her understanding of Bordeaux’s winemaking traditions and explored potential synergies to incorporate Bordeaux wines into Hong Kong’s wine tourism initiatives.
Miss Law will conclude her visit to France and depart for Hong Kong on the morning of July 9 (Bordeaux time).