Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair closes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Global wine trading platform uncorks potentials for emerging markets

HONG KONG, Nov 5, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The 15th HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), ended today after a successful three-day run (3-5 November). The fair drew keen buyers from emerging markets. Several regions stood out including Korea, Mainland China and Taiwan, as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, showing healthy potential for development. The return of global buyers to the physical Wine and Spirits Fair underlines Hong Kong’s status as a key trade and distribution hub for wine in the region.

The fair drew some 7,000 buyers from 49 countries and regions. On Public Day today the fair was open to ticket holders aged 18 or above, attracting around 9,000 wine enthusiasts to enjoy the beverages and attend events such as masterclasses, wine tasting and seminars.

The fair attracted renowned importers, wholesalers, retailers and e-tailers – including JD.com, Inc (Mainland China), PT. Pantja Artha Niaga (Indonesia), Royal of Japan Ltd (Japan), NARA CELLAR (Korea), Albert International Wines & Spirits Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), KOT Selections LLP (Singapore), Rose & Young Hunters Global Inc. (Taiwan), Central Food Retail Company Limited (Thailand), African + Eastern (UAE), and Red Apron Fine Wines & Spirits (Vietnam).

 

Gathers together global fine wine, cultivates new market opportunities

The HKTDC’s Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “The 15th Wine & Spirits Fair featured more than 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, where wine sellers and buyers come together again and buyers were keen to source products. Public Day today was also well received, and members of the public enjoyed the wine tasting experience and had fruitful purchases.

“In recent years, Chinese wines have risen in popularity and brought new momentum to the Chinese market. We incorporated these elements in the fair, bringing products from Sichuan, Ningxia and Xinjiang, offering more options for buyers. The HKTDC also held various seminars where industry professionals could explore opportunities in the Chinese wine market. Meanwhile, the global hot topic of sustainable development has also been addressed by the wine industry, as vintners make wines by greener means. Organic wines were also showcased in the fair, creating a sparkling new wave of purchasing trends.”

Eric Fung, Director (Hong Kong) of Japanese exhibitor Flavour of Life G.K., stated: "The wine fair has attracted a significant number of international buyers and is undoubtedly the most important wine trade fair in Hong Kong. We are very pleased with the quality of buyers, most of whom come from Southeast Asia, including India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. These are high-potential markets for sake. We have also had buyers from Africa, particularly Nigeria, which is an extremely promising market. If it weren't for participating in this event, we would not have had the opportunity to connect with them." His firm had established about 25 new connections at the fair, with two or three being high-potential buyers.

 

Emerging demand for non-alcoholic wines

Gary Lee, the Business Development Director of San Sesan Global Pte Ltd, a buyer from Singapore, said his firm’s primary objective at the event was to source vegan and alcohol-free wines, with a specific focus on products from Spain and Germany. He welcomed the Click2Match platform, which facilitated meeting scheduling and record-keeping. Mr Lee joined 20 business matchmaking sessions, engaging with eight exhibitors offering vegan and alcohol-free wines. "These meetings were highly effective, and I identified several exhibitors with significant potential. There is a good chance that I will place orders with two of them, and each deal we make is typically valued at approximately US$300,000."

Virginia Cikhita, the CEO of Project X and a buyer from Indonesia, visited the fair to source fine wines and accompaniments. She stated: "We have a great opportunity to order from a Hong Kong exhibitor at least 2,000 bottles of black truffle sauce imported from Finland. We also hope to buy custom water bottles from a Taiwanese exhibitor, as well as at least 3,000 boxes of hangover prevention pills. These products are truly excellent!" She was pleased with the services, including providing e-Badges for buyers, the Click2Match platform, and the new Scan2Match platform that conveniently connects buyers and exhibitors from offline to online.

The fair featured 36 exciting events, including the seminar Baijiu Journey: Savouring the Flavours of China and two Wine Industry Conferences, one of which featured the sole Chinese Master Sommelier in the world, Lu Yang, discussing wine market opportunities in China and Asia. In addition to informative seminars for industry professionals, Public Day featured engaging events such as wine tasting sessions, attracting enthusiastic participation from buyers and visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Bacolod Welcomes IT Group, Inc. for a Digital Transformation Dialogue

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


IT Group, Inc., one of the leading IT solution partners in the ASEAN region, will visit Bacolod City for the Negros Business Leaders Forum: Navigating the Future of Business Technology event this coming November 14 at the Chalet, L’Fisher Hotel.

In partnership with the, Rotary Council of Presidents in Negros, the event will venture into Bacolod’s business environment and markets, highlighting the city’s growth and progress, all while forecasting possible business trends in 2024.

Ellirie Aviles, ITG Senior Business Development Officer and convenor of the forum, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this event, stating, "The progress of Negros Occidental is a collective endeavor, with collaboration and partnerships acting as the driving forces behind success in the realms of business and technology. It's this spirit of togetherness that propels us forward."

“We’re excited to venture together with people from Bacolod. It’s always been our goal to connect with like-minded people who are interested in innovating their businesses through technology. It’s going to be a venue where everyone can be part of co-creating and co-owning better solutions not only for Bacolod but hopefully for the whole province of Negros,” said Jose Adolfo Cornelio, Jr., ITG’s Managing Director for PH.

This year, the City of Bacolod signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with GCash to welcome digitalization in the province, making it easier and more convenient to pay government fees for its people. The joint venture amplifies the city's readiness to embrace digitalization and harness its full potential and benefits.

Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) held the Digital Careers Expo 2023 events in the northern part of Negros Occidental, helping LGUs to create a digital roadmap for each district to boost provincial overall growth that will cover until 2030.

Present at the event will be Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez,, Rotary Council of Presidents in Negros Chairperson, Patrick Mabag, and Rotary International District 3850 District Secretary Juan Antonio Zayco Villaluz.


Full of AdVentures in the City of Smiles

Bacolod’s notable shift towards more digitally-driven business models brings the city’s economy to smile from ear to ear. The advancements toward digital transformation, however, are still full of adventures to go.

At the center of the conversation, ITG’s Head of Business Management Solutions, Rubie Grace Villamor will talk about “Compliance Towards Sustainable Business” through comprehensive and scalable solutions, Meanwhile, Rommel Bernabe, Head of IT Management Solutions, will shed light on the importance of cybersecurity in your organization by “Shielding the Digital Frontier”.


Almira Navarro, the Chief Marketing Officer of ITG, invited all leaders to join forces in venturing together in this event, from CEOs, COOs, Founders, Owners, CFOs, Presidents, and Chairpersons to business proprietors.


“Everyone is coming, and we’re looking forward to it. If one leader can make a great impact, how about all of them in one room? Think about. It’s really a one-of-a-kind event where you meet movers, builders, and shakers of Bacolod in one night,” she ended.


Negros Business Leaders Forum will start at 6:00 p.m. RSVP today : https://bit.ly/3s50ITX





ITG is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified company with four regional offices located in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, helping 200+ clients across the ASEAN region on their digital transformation journey and has a solid portfolio of 250+ successful projects.



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Walk Japan launches the Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Walk Japan’s newest tour explores Kochi and Ehime in west Shikoku, one of Japan’s most beautiful yet least visited regions.

Walk Japan, the leading adventure travel company in Japan, has launched its latest immersive walking tour the Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery, visiting the bucolic Kochi and Ehime Prefectures of western Shikoku. 

The Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery is a fully-guided, seven-day tour exploring two of Japan’s most beautiful but remotest prefectures. This region exudes elegance and tranquillity, characterised by pristine streams and rivers that meander leisurely through deeply forested mountainous terrain and lush valleys to the coast and the steely-blue Pacific Ocean. Here in numerous small farming and fishing communities set in idyllic countryside, the warmly welcoming locals maintain a timeless and gentle pace of life. 

Shikoku has been considered a sacred island for over a thousand years and is famed for its 1,200 kilometre 88-temple Ohenro pilgrimage, the feature of Walk Japan’s Shikoku Temple Pilgrimage tour. 

The Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery also includes the theme of pilgrimage with visits to the exquisite Chikurin-ji, the 31st Ohenro temple, and a little-known 12 kilometre mini-pilgrimage set in a rustic valley. It also explores old mountain routes including one that was once vital in transporting sea salt, a precious commodity, to remote communities, and another, the Dappan-no-Michi, that follows in the daring footsteps of Sakamoto Ryoma. Ryoma is a Japanese hero renowned for his exploits at the end of the samurai-dominated Edo Period (1603-1868) when under pain of death he escaped from his clan from Kochi via Ehime.

The Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery is a seven-day, six-night, fully-guided walking tour for up to 12 participants commencing in Kochi City and concluding in Matsuyama's Dogo Onsen. Daily walking ranges from nine to 13 kilometres along mountain trails and quiet country lanes. A Level 4 tour, it is suitable for anyone who leads a reasonably active lifestyle. Prices start from JPY 400,000 Japanese yen based on double occupancy. 

About Walk Japan

Established in 1992, Walk Japan is an independently owned and managed walking tour company that enlightens and enriches its guests on walking tours through many less-travelled regions of Japan from Hokkaido in the nation’s far north to Okinawa in its far south. Walk Japan’s pioneering tours evolved from study trips run by two Hong Kong University academics and since then, Walk Japan’s Tour Leaders have guided many tens of thousands of people from around the world through Japan’s natural beauty, history, society and culture that is otherwise often difficult to access and fully appreciate.

For further information on the company, its tours and its Community Project visit walkjapan.com

Other highlights include Yusuhara, a gorgeously-sited mountain town, where a cluster of buildings designed by world-acclaimed architect Kuma Kengo is found; Ozu, a charming, castle town featuring the captivating Garyu Sanso, a Japanese masterpiece of garden, villa and teahouse; and local culinary delicacies such as katsuo seared bonito fish and myriad varieties of citrus fruit.