Sea Kayak Hong Kong's packages focus on ocean conservation, education and adventure tours. Photo Credit: Sea Kayak Hong Kong
With Zoom fatigue on the rise and an enduring fourth wave of
coronavirus infections creating start-stop MICE momentum in Hong Kong,
could a post-Covid world see a turn to the outdoors for cleaner, more
open-air events?
If the number of corporate packages are any indication, then the answer is, yes.
Looking to inspire corporates hunting unique venue spaces are a few
of Hong Kong’s open-air establishments, which hope to welcome
prospective clients to book enticing outdoor packages.
Upscale boat charter FLOAT provides “an alternative yet very special
and glamorous event space” which can be hired for corporate functions.
Packages include cocktail receptions, the Symphony of Light Cruise or
executive dining.
Recent bookings (for events in Q3 and Q4) see the venue being used to
host an 'at sea' art exhibition, as well as VIP events and a product
showcase, according to a FLOAT spokesperson.
Upscale boat charter FLOAT is able to work host product launches, VIP events, company presentations, meetings and art exhibitions as well. Photo Credit: FLOAT“As the yacht cruises out, the venue becomes very secluded and
exclusive”, said Lawrence Kwan, assistant manager of Seayou Explorer
Travel, which owns FLOAT. “We believe that there is a trend of hosting
small gatherings and also finding chic spots away from crowds and the
mundane."
Recently launching its Aberdeen1773 – Fishing Heritage Sampan &
Houseboat Tour, Seayou Explorer also hopes to entice corporates on a
guided tour while cruising around Aberdeen Fishing Village in a
traditional sampan. The experience is offered in four languages:
Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Japanese.
Another unique venue: West Kowloon Cultural District. One of the
city’s latest arts and culture developments, the area has held several
events and exhibitions. The popular Art Park, a vibrant, open-air patch
of greenery, has been receiving many enquiries from different trades and
initiatives, a spokesperson told M&C Asia.
"The Authority welcomes creative ideas from corporates in enlivening
this gem of Hong Kong. We have different packages welcoming corporate
events and functions at the Art Park," they said.
“We have received quite a lot of enquiries for events upon the
stabilisation of the Covid-19 pandemic situation," the spokesperson
said, noting an uptick in smaller-scale events.
Ovolo Southside's Komune Terrace offers a business meeting package which includes meeting facilities as well as all-day snacks and a cheeky happy hour. Photo Credit: Ovolo GroupMeanwhile team-building packages are available The Marquee, an
open-air terrace with sea views at Repulse Bay. The package includes
coffee breaks, an Asian lunch menu and coach transportation services.
Home-grown hotel brand, Ovolo, is preparing for post-pandemic
corporate experiences at its Ovolo Southside property, which is home to
the Komune Terrace. Here, meeting packages include venue hire, as well
as all-day snacks and a cheeky happy hour.
Team-building in the great outdoors
Venturing into the great outdoors has been popular among locals
looking to retreat outside the city — and corporates are playing into
the idea.
Adventure and eco-tour operator Wild Hong Kong provides bespoke
outdoor activities and team-building sessions for corporate clients,
with unique options including dam building exercises, trail building,
litter picking competitions and scavenger hunts that incorporate
elements such as orienteering. “Corporates are most interested in the
scavenger hunts, hiking and kayaking,” shared founder Rory Mackay.
Tourist attraction Noah’s Ark offers an outdoors adventure corporate
training programme which focuses on team bonding through high rope
climbing, rope knotting and sand castle making, among others. Corporates
can weigh into the additional overnight stay package at the onsite
Noah’s Ark Hotel and Resort.
Sea Kayak Hong Kong is an ocean conservation, education and adventure
tour organisation which also offers team-building packages. Clients can
choose from three categories: The Corporate Junket, for groups to share
an out-of-office experience on the ocean; Non-Authentic Team-building,
CSR-infused activities such as beach clean-ups; and Authentic
Team-building, bespoke activities focused on ocean education and
conservation.
Sea Kayak Hong Kong's head research and developer, Dave Wilson,
believes demand for outdoor options is on the rise as locals become more
eco-conscious. “A lot more people in Hong Kong are wanting to do more,
and as a result, I would expect they would be looking to their company
to organise [outdoor and eco-friendly events]."
He added: “From our enquiries to-date this year, I expect a significant number of bookings to occur."
And there are more corporate packages in the pipeline. The outdoor
tour operator also runs Ocean Literary International HK Limited, which
educates businesses on environmental issues. “We have a wide range of
ocean literacy packages that corporations can use to develop or enhance
the sustainability SOPs within their organisations."