Hong Kong Tourism Board & Art Basel announce three-year global partnership, ET TravelWorld

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Art Basel have announced an exciting three-year global partnership, marking HKTB as the first tourism organisation to partner with Art Basel worldwide. This significant announcement was made during a press conference at Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland.

Under this new strategic alliance, HKTB will serve as a Show Partner of Art Basel, promoting Hong Kong‘s vibrant art and cultural scene on an international stage. This partnership will span all Art Basel shows globally, starting with Art Basel Paris in October 2024.

HKTB will be featured in four annual Art Basel shows, including those in Paris, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Basel. Each show will offer unique thematic experiences or activations that celebrate Hong Kong’s art and culture.

The partnership will launch at Art Basel Paris, held at the Grand Palais from October 18-20, 2024. Through this collaboration, HKTB aims to highlight Hong Kong as a hub for international cultural exchange and a gateway to the Chinese art market.

Commenting on the partnership, Dane Cheng, Executive Director, HKTB, expressed enthusiasm about the alliance, stating, “Our strategic partnership with Art Basel underscores our commitment to promoting Hong Kong as a center for international cultural exchange. By showcasing our city’s unique character through immersive experiences at Art Basel shows, we aim to inspire travellers to explore Hong Kong’s thriving creative community and rich cultural heritage.”

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The influx of visitors generated a record USD 10.2 billion in visitor spending and supported 102,366 local jobs, reflecting a substantial economic boost for the city. Notably, 165,100 Indian tourists visited Washington, DC in 2023, contributing USD 287.4 million to the local economy. The surge in tourism has had a profound impact on the city’s economy, with visitor spending up 29 per cent and tourism-related jobs up 25 per cent year-over-year.

Noah Horowitz, CEO, Art Basel, added, “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board through this ambitious initiative. This partnership will not only enhance the experience for our fair visitors but also foster deeper connections between Hong Kong and global art communities.”Since its inception in Hong Kong in 2013, Art Basel has partnered with HKTB on several successful initiatives. Notably, in March 2024, they presented a local “Cha Chaan Teng” experience at Art Basel Hong Kong, showcasing the city’s cultural heritage through iconic local delicacies and immersive settings.

The 2024 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong featured 242 leading galleries from around the world, attracting over 75,000 visitors. Moving forward, Art Basel Hong Kong announced that from 2025, MGM will sponsor a new prize for Discoveries, the sector dedicated to solo presentations by emerging artists.

This partnership between HKTB and Art Basel is poised to elevate Hong Kong’s cultural profile and attract more visitors to its dynamic art scene, reinforcing its status as a global cultural capital.