Killian Kostiha – The HK HUB https://thehkhub.com open the door to Hong Kong Fri, 05 Jul 2024 12:58:45 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6 https://thehkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/favicon-194x194-128x128.png Killian Kostiha – The HK HUB https://thehkhub.com 32 32 Doraemon Drone Show Returns on July 20 With New Visuals https://thehkhub.com/doraemon-drone-show-returns-on-july-20-with-new-visuals/ Fri, 05 Jul 2024 12:44:57 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=63413 The Doraemon drone show, which captivated audiences at Victoria Harbour on May 25, will return on July 20 with brand-new imagery and displays. The last drone show, which featured 1,000 drones forming imagery of the beloved robotic cat, Doraemon, was a stunning success. Fans gathered along the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui to witness the 15-minute spectacle that marked Doraemon’s grand comeback to Hong Kong.

Doraemon, a blue robotic cat from the future, is an iconic figure in Japanese manga and anime. Created by Fujiko F. Fujio, he is famous for his time-travel adventures and futuristic gadgets, which have enchanted generations of fans worldwide.

The upcoming drone show promises fresh content and a unique visual experience. Scheduled for 7:30 pm on July 20, it will illuminate the skies of East Tsim Sha Tsui with new drone formations, ensuring a different spectacle from the May event.

Adding to the Doraemon fever this summer, two Doraemon exhibitions will be hosted in the 852. The “100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS Exhibition” a ticketed event, will run from July 13 to August 18 at K11 Musea, with tickets available on Klook. Additionally, the “100% DORAEMON Outdoor Exhibition Area” will offer a free display from July 13 to August 11 at the Avenue of Stars and Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

Fore Doraemon fans, other attractions are being held in the city. The Siu Hong Light Rail station will feature a Doraemon-themed platform, and three limited-edition ‘100% Friends-Calling Bell’ trains will operate on the Light Rail, East Rail Line, and the Airport Express. Visitors to Ngong Ping 360 can enjoy Doraemon-themed cable cars between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping village from June 14 to September 1, making it a Doraemon-filled summer for fans of all ages.

Header Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

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11 Best Kindergartens In Hong Kong For Purposeful Education From An Early Age https://thehkhub.com/best-kindergartens-hong-kong/ Thu, 23 May 2024 01:20:00 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=51967 Kindergartens in Hong Kong offer a vibrant array of options for young learners, with both public and private institutions providing unique pathways to education. Children generally start kindergarten between the ages of 2 years and 8 months to 3 years, embarking on a three-year journey through K1, K2, and K3. Hong Kong’s diverse education system includes both public and private kindergartens, each with its own set of pros and cons. Some private kindergartens are part of larger school networks, offering seamless pathways up to Year 13. Moreover, many kindergartens provide international streams, ensuring a global perspective from an early age.

Whether you’re new to the city, a new parent, or both, we want to help you navigate these options to find the best kindergarten in Hong Kong, where your child can thrive.

FIS Chai Wan Campus — Chai Wan*

FIS Chai Wan Campus - Chai Wan
FIS, one of the oldest international schools in Hong Kong, renovated its kindergarten campus in 2022 (© FIS Chai Wan)

Situated within the esteemed French International School Hong Kong (FIS), the Chai Wan campus offers a comprehensive educational journey for families. Fully renovated in 2022 to be converted into a kindergarten campus, it stands as a cornerstone of academic and holistic development for children from kindergarten through to upper secondary. The Chai Wan campus is part of FIS’s network of schools across Hong Kong, providing a seamless educational pathway from kindergarten to Year 13.

With a student body of 250 across 12 classes and a dedicated faculty of 20 teachers, each child receives personalised attention. The kindergarten offers both French and International streams, ensuring diverse educational opportunities.

A bright veranda sets the stage for a fulfilling kindergarten experience. Their play-based classrooms and expansive outdoor playground encourage active learning and exploration. The campus also features well-equipped sports facilities, a stocked library, and outdoor reading areas, ensuring a proper educational environment for every child.

FIS’s commitment to excellence in education assures parents of a consistent educational experience for their children. This kindergarten is an ideal choice for parents seeking stability and excellence in education for their little ones, ensuring a smooth transition from kindergarten through to upper secondary education.

Location: 1 Cheung Man Road Chai Wan, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 2975 1503
Email: secretaryCW-FS-primary@lfis.edu.hk

Discovery Bay International School — Discovery Bay*

Children enjoying the outdoor space and classrooms at DBIS Kindergarten
Children enjoying the outdoor space and classrooms at DBIS Kindergarten (© DBIS)

Located in the tranquil suburb of Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Discovery Bay International School’s dedicated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) campus is an incredible place for children aged 3 to 5 to begin their educational journey. DBIS EYFS is unique among Hong Kong schools in terms of the space available to young learners. DBIS views the environment children learn in as the third teacher; therefore, its EYFS campus is purposefully planned to develop and nurture dispositions such as resilience, problem-solving, confidence, and creativity — all crucially important not only to support learning, but also to enable children to respond effectively to their unfolding futures.

DBIS’s philosophy is centred around the belief that all children are infinitely capable, creative, and full of potential. The school’s EYFS phase identifies each child’s strengths and then supports their development from individual starting points. DBIS follows the National Curriculum of England, with EYFS specifically designed for children to begin exploring the building blocks of continuous learning in the Primary and Secondary phases of the school.

Location: Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 2914 2142 (EYFS Campus) or +852 2987 7331 (Main Campus)
Email: admissions@dbis.edu.hk

Good Time International Play School & Kindergarten — Shatin*

native english teachers reading a storybook to children at good time international play school and kindergarten
Native English and Chinese teachers using inquiry-based learning (© Good Time International Play School & Kindergarten)

As a leading international kindergarten since 1986, Good Time International Kindergarten adopts an Inquiry Approach to learning based on the EYFS framework of the UK. Their aim is to cultivate the next generation of individuals who can express themselves fluently and confidently in both English and Chinese. Through their innovative YouTuber training, students are given the chance to discuss various topics in front of cameras, helping them build the confidence to speak in front of any audience. Language is not taught, it’s used: Tuesdays to Fridays are dedicated to English immersion, while Mondays are solely Putonghua immersion. 

As a leading kindergarten in STEM learning, students also learn basic coding as a language for an AI-dominated future. Good Time’s vision is to transform children into leaders who excel in communication, creativity, and who care for their neighbours and the world.

Catering to ages 1-6, their programmes range from Play Groups to K3, with facilities including a concourse, cafeteria, drama studio, STEM lab, and more. They focus on equipping children for future success over the next 10-15 years.

Location: L4 Blocks C & D, Shatin Plaza, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 2601 3278, +852 9445 5085 (WhatsApp)
Email: info@deikindergarten.org

Guidepost Montessori — Multiple locations*

a teacher kneels on the floor in front of a map puzzle, along with two children
Guidepost Montessori provides individualised guidance for kindergarten-aged children (© Guidepost Montessori)

Guidepost Montessori is a network of schools across Hong Kong that aims to guide and empower children as they develop their independence and ability to think and do things for themselves. Their unaccompanied classes for children aged 2–6 years old will help each child realise their limitless potential.

The half-day Toddler class (2-3 years old) focuses on learning through free movement, helping children go from two-word phrases to full sentences, and supporting independent toilet use. The full-day Children’s House (3-6 years old) programme places emphasis on building independence through practical life, and provides individualised guidance with writing and reading.

Guidepost Montessori also has Enrichment Programs (2.5-6 years old) in which children get the opportunity to explore various interests and develop mastery over them, such as cooking, gardening, DIY activities, and creative classes. The schools also offer seasonal on-campus and international camps that children can attend at Guidepost campuses in Hong Kong or at locations in Mainland China and Bali.

Location: Causeway Bay, Chai Wan, Clearwater Bay, Discovery Bay, Happy Valley, Kennedy Town, Pok Fu Lam (view addresses here)
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone number: +852 9126 6211
Email: admissions@guidepost.hk

Malvern College Pre-School — West Kowloon & Sai Ying Pun*

Students learning with teachers through hands-on activities at Malvern College Pre-School
MCPS students learning with teachers through hands-on activities (© Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong)

Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (MCPS) is an international pre-school for children from 2-5 years old. The school offers an Educationally Harnessed Play Programme based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, engaging children through both structured and free play and emphasising their inquisitive nature through hands-on activities. Following the successful launch of the Coronation Circle campus in West Kowloon in August 2017, the school opened a second campus in Sai Ying Pun (Island West) in August 2019. Both campus designs are inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, making the environment the third teacher. The pre-school is one of Hong Kong’s first to operate a Forest-Beach-School Programme.

Location: G09-12 Coronation Circle, 1 Yau Cheung Road in West Kowloon or G/F and 1/F Viking Court, 165-166 Connaught Road West in Sai Ying Pun
Contact: Website | Facebook
Phone Number: +852 3898 4688
Email: mcpsadm@malvernpreschool.hk

See also
Malvern College Hong Kong Headmaster, Paul Wickes: “80% Of Today’s Pre-schoolers Will Do Jobs That Haven’t Even Been Invented Yet”

ICHK Hong Lok Yuen Kindergarten & Primary — Tai Po*

ichk hong lok yuen international kindergarten tai po
ICHK students develop through child-initiated, adult-supported playful learning experiences (© ICHK Hong Lok Yuen)

ICHK Kindergarten empowers children to be creative, confident, caring, resilient, and respectful. Educators believe play is central to learning, fostering creativity as children discover the world around them. The green location in Tai Po, paired with a strong outdoor education programme, provides regular opportunities to engage with nature. Their IB-PYP emergent curriculum sets learning goals based on children’s interests, helping them develop communication, self-management, and research skills. Instruction is in English, but children are immersed in Mandarin daily through stories, songs, and games. Graduates automatically progress to ICHK Primary School on the same site, adding convenience to parents.

Location: 3, Twentieth Street, Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 3955 3000
Email: info@ichkhly.edu.hk or admissions@ichkhly.edu.hk

See also
ICHK Hong Lok Yuen Kindergarten & Primary Instils Love For Nature, Sense Of Global Citizenship

Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong — Sai Kung*

nord anglia international school hong kong kg
NAIS Hong Kong pre-school students are supported to explore the world through structured play (© NAIS)

Part of Nord Anglia Education’s global family of over 85 international schools, Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong is a through-train international school offering an Early Years Programme for Nursery to Reception (ages 3-5) based on the English National Curriculum EYFS framework, tailored for an international environment. At their Early Years waterfront campus in Sai Kung, children engage in structured play opportunities using a range of materials to become capable, confident learners at their own pace. Students are introduced to Mandarin Chinese from Nursery, while programmes like STEAM with MIT and Performing Arts with The Juilliard School foster holistic wellbeing and a strong academic focus.

Location: 285 Hong Kin Road, Tui Min Hoi, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 3958 1488 (General) or +852 3958 1428 (Admission)
Email: admissions@nais.hk 

See also
7 Tips For Choosing The Right Kindergarten For Your Child

Tutor Time — Multiple locations

tutor time hong kong
Tutor Time has four campuses in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (© Tutor Time)

Tutor Time is a bilingual international kindergarten focused on native English and Mandarin education. The programmes are tailored to the children’s social and academic painpoints based on teacher observation, and the goal is preparing toddler and parents for admission to the most esteemed primary schools in Hong Kong. Their proprietary LifeSmart curriculum is based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, where activities are based on developing 10 life skills, including setting goals and making plans, visual arts, social studies, math, nature and science, and social-emotional development. Tutor Time has a low teacher to student ratio (1:8) and colourful, modern facilities at four campuses.

Location: Central, North Point, Kowloon Tong, Yuen Long (see locations)
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: (+852) 9123 6889
Email: info@tutortime.com.hk

Les Petits Lascars — Central & Tseung Kwan O*

les petits lascars logo

Created in 2006, Les Petits Lascars French International Preschool offers French, bilingual and trilingual programmes (French/English/Mandarin) for children aged 9 months to 6 years. Emphasising a love of learning, their personalised teaching approach allows each child to develop at their own pace and thrive in a caring and stimulating environment. 14-15 children maximum per class. 7 for baby classes.

Contact: Website

St. Paul’s Church Kindergarten — Central & North Point

St. Paul’s Church Kindergarten, a public school founded in 1950, is an iconic institution located in Central with another campus in North Point. Using Cantonese, alongside English and Putonghua, the school offers holistic education. With a student-teacher ratio of 1:8, it features classrooms, a music room, a reading corner, and playgrounds.

Contact: Website

St. Anthony’s Kindergarten — Central

St. Anthony’s Kindergarten provides exceptional early childhood education, preparing children aged 2-6 for future challenges. The curriculum promotes exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving, while fostering personal-social competence and innovative high-order thinking. With no school fees for half-day K1-K3, it supports non-Chinese speaking students.

Contact: Website

Choosing the right kindergarten in Hong Kong is not an easy task, as there are plenty of options available and parents’ needs differ from one family to another. Read through the following links for more information:

FAQ about kindergartens in Hong Kong

Is kindergarten mandatory in Hong Kong?

No, kindergarten is not mandatory in Hong Kong. Kindergarten is three years long, starting from the age of 2 to 3. Mandatory education starts at the age of 6 and lasts until the age of 15.

How long is kindergarten in Hong Kong?

Kindergarten is three years long in Hong Kong, starting anywhere from the age of 2 years and 8 months to 3 years of age. A general guideline is that K1 is for children turning 3, K2 is for children who are 4 turning 5, and K3 is for children who are 5 turning 6.

How can I choose the best kindergarten for my child?

There are so many kindergartens and pre-schools in Hong Kong with public and private options. When considering which one to place your toddler in, consider the school’s location, facilities, learning values, the student-teacher ratio, and obviously, the cost. Also, don’t forget to go for school visits, called “open days” to visit the facilities.

What is the difference between public and private kindergartens in Hong Kong?

Public kindergartens are typically more affordable, adhering to government guidelines. Private kindergartens offer diverse curricula and facilities, often with international streams and pathways. Your choice depends on budget, educational philosophy, and whether you’re seeking a local or global perspective.

How much do preschools cost in Hong Kong?

Kindergarten costs in Hong Kong vary widely. Private kindergartens can charge between HK$3,000 to HK$10,000 per month, depending on whether it’s full-day or half-day and other considerations. Public and subsidised kindergartens are more affordable, with fees generally less than HK$2,000 per year.

Are there schemes and subsidies for public kindergarten?

Some public kindergarten offer free options under the Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme, while subsidies exist should you need financial help with the Pre-Primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) and the Kindergarten and Child Care Centre Fee Remission Scheme (KCFRS).

What is the difference between half-day and full-day kindergarten in Hong Kong?

Half-day programmes typically last around 3-4 hours, either in the morning or afternoon. Full-day programmes often include lunch and nap times, making them ideal for working parents seeking comprehensive care and learning.

How does Montessori education differ from academic-focused programmes?

Montessori education emphasises self-directed learning, independence, and mixed-age classrooms. Academic-focused programmes are more structured, prioritising subject-based learning with a set curriculum. Choosing between the two depends on whether parents prefer a child-centred or curriculum-driven approach for their child’s early education. Montessori programmes are more common in private kindergarten.

Do Hong Kong kindergartens have after-school programmes?

Parents who work long or irregular hours and don’t have the support to look after their kindergarten-aged children while they are at work can enrol them at after-school care programmes at centres across Hong Kong, which are not located on kindergarten premises.

Header image credits: Woodland Pre-Schools

* This article was done in collaboration with the above-mentioned kindergarten. Reach out if you’d like to be included!

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Hong Kong To Face 5-8 Cyclones In 2024, The Hong Kong Observatory Forecasts https://thehkhub.com/hong-kong-to-face-5-8-cyclones-in-2024/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:52:11 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=61831 The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) detailed the climate phenomena of 2023 and forecasted the weather for Hong Kong in 2024 during a press conference today. According to the Observatory, last year continued the trend of the past decade, supporting the latest report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which states that “the past eight years were the warmest on record globally, with a temperature about 1.15 [1.02 to 1.27] °C above pre-industrial levels” (source).

In 2023, new records were established based on six different datasets used by the organisation.

global mean temperature evolution
Global mean temperature compared to 1850-1900 average (© World Meteorological Organisation)

In Hong Kong, 2023 was notably warmer, with an average temperature of 24.5°C, significantly above the historical norm, marking it as the second-warmest year since 1884. The Observatory recorded a high number of extremely hot days and nights.

See also
‘Milktea’, ‘Dim Sum’ & ‘Junk Boat’ In The Running To Be Voted As Potential Typhoon Names

For 2024, the tropical cyclone season in Hong Kong is expected to commence in June, with 5 to 8 cyclones predicted to approach within 500km of the SAR, by October. Amid ongoing climate warming, temperatures are anticipated to exceed average levels, potentially ranking among the top ten warmest years. Rainfall is forecasted to be near normal, yet heavy rains could impact the region. Last year, Hong Kong got its heaviest rainfall in 140 years.

As the rainy season nears, the HKO will implement a series of measures to better track the weather (i.e. replacement of the weather radar at Tai Mo Shan) and communicate more with the public during severe weather conditions, including hourly briefings under the Black Rainstorm Signal, more information regarding the weather in the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) through the “MyObservatory” app, and the improvement of the chatbot, “Dr. Tin”.

See also
Hong Kong Observatory To Hold Open Days On March 23 & 24

Header Image Credit : The HK HUB and WikiImages and via Canva

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Samee Sam & The Trilogy Present: Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop On November 26 (Free Entry) https://thehkhub.com/samee-sam-the-trilogy-present-celebrating-50-years-of-hip-hop-on-november-26/ Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:38:37 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=59225 [Press Release From Samee Sam & The Trilogy]

Hip Hop was born in August 1973, a cultural revolution that took hold in the streets of New York City. Picture this: abandoned buildings and parking lots transformed into bustling epicenters, pulsating with the electrifying breakbeats curated by visionary DJs and MCs; B-boys and B-girls dancing on makeshift cardboard dancefloors, while graffiti artists unveil their masterpieces on walls.

Fast forward to 2023, Hip Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary and on 26th of November graffiti artist and popping dancer Samee Sam, joins forces with the newly opened multi-music hub, The Trilogy by Singular Concepts, for a tribute to the legacy of Hip Hop in the heart of Hong Kong!

Bringing the “Block Party” atmosphere to the rooftop of H-CODE in Central, a solid lineup of DJs, whose presence has shaped the city’s vibrant clubbing scene, will infuse the airwaves with an eclectic medley of Hip Hop, BreakBeat, Funk, G Funk, and New Jack tunes throughout the whole afternoon. Street dancers will immerse in cyphers of different styles such as B-boying, Hip Hop, Popping, and Locking. There will be live graffiti and beatbox performances, gravity-defying exhibition battles, freestyle battles and MCs spitting fire, all featuring homegrown artists from the block and beyond.

See also
What's On: The Most Exciting Events For All This Month

Agenda

TimeActivity
2pmDoor Opens
2-7pmLive DJ Sets (Hip Hop, Funk, G Funk, New Jack) with DJ Fu/Tiga/Monsta Kei/Ceet/Mark T.
2-7pmLive Graffiti Painting with Jurc/Mais/Boms/Niny/Samee Sam/Souk/Ceet/Stern/Hazid
2-7pmCyphers for all dance styles (B-boyin’, Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, etc.)
3-3.30pmBeatbox Showcase by Mixx/Ape/Freddie/Long Long
3.30-4pmExhibition Locking battle with For Funk’s Sake vs Party Gangz
4-4.30pmExhibition Hip Hop battle with Now’z vs Stan æ˜Żäœ†
4.30-5.15pmApache Line + Exhibition B-boys battle with 852Underdogz vs Good Job Brother and Poos1 vs Manchoi
5.15-5.30pmPoppers Freestyle
5.30-6pmMCs Freestyle with Nick Cage/Velvet Elvis/Danny/Bad Bambino
6-7pmParty Dance

This is a unique occasion to revel in the immense diversity that thrives within Hong Kong’s lively Hip Hop community and the perfect Sunday afternoon to bask in the epic beats and infectious energy of Hip Hop.

When26 November, 2-7pm
WhereRooftop of H-CODE, 45 Pottinger Street, Central
RegisterRSVP via the QR Code/Google Form for entry (Free)

Header Image Credit: @demais.hk, @underdogz852, @djfu1 via Instagram

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Ed Sheeran’s 2024 Asian Tour Stops Unveiled, But Hong Kong Is Not On the List https://thehkhub.com/ed-sheerans-asian-tour-stops-unveiled-but-hong-kong-is-not-on-the-list/ Sat, 21 Oct 2023 02:23:19 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=58795 Ed Sheeran has unveiled the schedule for the highly awaited Asia leg of his ‘+ – = Ă· x’ tour, set to span from January to March 2024. However, fans in the 852 might be left waiting, as Hong Kong remains off the roster, alongside Macao.

The tour is set to commence in late January with two electrifying performances in Japan, specifically in Osaka and Tokyo. Following this, Sheeran will journey to Taiwan and make his way through Southeast Asia in February. The “Shape of You” singer has also scheduled performances in Indonesia and the Philippines for early March. To cap off the tour, Sheeran will grace the stage with a solo performance in India.

ed sheeran asia tour 2024 poster

Adding to the excitement, fellow English singer-songwriter Calum Scott is slated to join Sheeran throughout the Asian tour dates. Tour promoter AEG Asia has hinted at more details regarding ticket prices and sales to be unveiled soon.

It remains uncertain if there will be any additions to the tour dates, but fans in Hong Kong and other unlisted cities are holding onto hope. For now, fans across Asia are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable series of concerts from one of the world’s leading musical talents.

Ed Sheeran + – = Ă· x 2024 Tour Schedule:

  • January 27 – Osaka, Japan, Kyocera Dome
  • January 31 – Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo Dome
  • February 03 – Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Kaohsiung National Stadium
  • February 10 – Bangkok, Thailand, Rajamangala Stadium
  • February 16 – Singapore, Singapore, National Stadium
  • February 24 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bukit Jalil National Stadium
  • March 02 – Jakarta, Indonesia, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
  • March 09 – Manila, The Philippines, SMDC Festival Grounds
  • March 16 – Mumbai, India, Mahalaxmi Race Course
See also
The Best Concerts And Music Festivals In Hong Kong In 2024

Header Image Credit: Kmeron via Flickr

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[UPDATE] : Typhoon Signal To Be Lowered To Strong Wind Signal, No. 3, Between 4 And 8PM https://thehkhub.com/t8-signal-to-be-issued-at-or-before-710-pm-today/ Fri, 01 Jul 2022 09:32:20 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=50235 The Hong Kong Observatory announced yesterday at 5:10PM that the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 8 will be issued in the evening, as Severe Tropical Storm CHABA edges closer to Hong Kong. At 5PM, the CHABA was about 370 km south-southwest of the city and is expected to move in the direction of the coast of western Guangdong tonight and tomorrow.

On July 2, 4AM, The Hong Kong Observatory announced that the No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal will remain in force before noon.

chaba tropical storm t8 hong kong
Hong Kong Observatory

On July 2, 8.45AM, The Hong Kong Observatory announced No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal will remain in force before 4 p.m. Many areas of the territory are still experiencing gale force gusts, and storm force winds still sometimes occur offshore and on high hills. In the early afternoon, gales related to Chaba will continue to impact the area around the Pearl River Estuary.

On July 2, 1.45PM, Chaba is making landfall in Zhanjiang before gradually departing from Hong Kong. Local winds are likely to progressively diminish. HKO will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 to replace the No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal between 4 and 8 p.m., depending on the degree of weakening of local winds.

Public transport, ferries, offices, schools, and stores are closed during T8.

Read our guides on Hong Kong Typhoon Signals, How to prepare for a typhoon and What happens to compulsory Covid-19 testings during a typhoon.

Header Image Credit : The Hong Kong Observatory

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Quarantine Hotel Demand Is Booming By 511%, 50 Hotels Increased Their Prices (Some By Over 50%) https://thehkhub.com/quarantine-hotels-inflation-demand-increased/ Wed, 22 Jun 2022 05:22:37 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=50035 The Hong Kong government recently released its list of the eighth cycle of Designated Quarantine Hotels (DQHs), which will run from August 1 till October 31, 2022. All over the city, around 23,000 rooms across 62 hotels are available for international arrivals for a compulsory isolation period, after they enter the city.

Hong Kong social media groups were abuzz with posts about how the room rates had increased exponentially between the current seventh cycle (which runs till July 31) and the upcoming eighth cycle. The HK HUB compared the cost for non-suite rooms for a single occupant offered by quarantine hotels since the fourth cycle (which ran from June 20 till August 31, 2021) and the eighth cycle, and yes, prices are on the rise.

Interest increased by 511% since May 2021

The release of the 8th cycle list was a crushing blow for those who were hoping that the mandatory quarantine in designated hotels would be lifted. The situation has been uncertain since 2020, with the social distancing measures and the compulsory quarantine in designated quarantine hotels, pushing people to leave Hong Kong, while others were stuck abroad due to bans on flights from several countries.

Since April 1, the ban has been lifted and the quarantine period in DQHs reduced from 14 days to 7 days, while since May 1, non-residents and tourists can enter the city, resulting in a higher demand on quarantine hotels. Travel back to Hong Kong is a hassle, and despite the fact that new hotels and rooms were added in February and May, the demand is extremely high, causing issues for people to find a quarantine hotel.

There are no official data about the demand itself, but we can have some insights by looking at how people search for specific keywords using the Keyword Planner, a tool provided by Google that shows estimations of monthly searches in Google Search. Results are astonishing: worldwide, the number of people searching for the keyword “quarantine hotel hong kong” increased by 511% between May 2021 and May 2022, jumping from 9,900 to 60,500 monthly searches in a year.

monthly search volume quarantine hotel hong kong
Google search volumes estimation for “quarantine hotel hong kong”

When it comes to searching in Google, people can use various types of keywords. Therefore, this number is most likely underestimated compared to the actual demand. Indeed, looking at the total volume of searches for keywords related to “quarantine hotel hong kong” (469 different terms), the tools reports that 206,300 searches were performed in May 2022, an increase of 30% compared to April.

Google Trends can also be used to understand more about the demand (click here). According to the latest charts, the interest for quarantine hotels in the city has never been this high. All charts show a higher interest since March and April 2022, when the government announced the reduction of the quarantine period and the opening of the borders to non-residents.

Quarantine hotels prices are up 26% on average

A quarantine in Hong Kong is a financial burden for solo-travellers and families, without mentioning the increasing airline tickets. When it comes to the hotel cost, inflation is obvious. Out of 69 hotels available across during the cycles, 50 have increased their prices for single non-suite rooms, by an average of 25%.

Looking at the data* (click here) for non-suite rooms for one guest between the 4th and 8th cycle, the cost per night has increased each cycle by 4.5-8.5% for most of the hotels.

The following table lists the top ten hotels that upped their prices the most for this room type:

HOTELROOMINITIAL COSTLATEST COSTΔ
JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-LaSuperior Room (Single)$498 per night
(4th cycle)
$908 per night
(8th cycle)
+82%
CM+ Hotels & Serviced ApartmentsSeaview Room for single occupant with meals$1,800 per night (4th cycle)$3,200 per night
(8th cycle)
+78%
Ramada Hong Kong GrandSingle Room$400 per night
(4th cycle)
$680 per night
(8th cycle)
+70%
Nina Hotel Island SouthCity View Room (Single)$770 per night
(4th cycle)
$1200 per night
(8th cycle)
+56%
Pentahotel Hong Kong, KowloonPenta Standard Room (Single)$500 per night
(4th cycle)
$770 per night
(8th cycle)
+54%
Ramada Hong Kong Harbour ViewSingle Occupancy / Standard Room$450 per night
(4th cycle)
$680 per night
(8th cycle)
+51%
Best Western Hotel Causeway BaySingle Occupancy / Single Room$450 per night
(4th cycle)
$680 per night
(8th cycle)
+51%
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway BayStandard Room (Single)$988 per night
(4th cycle)
$1488 per night
(8th cycle)
+51%
Regal Oriental HotelEconomy Room (Single)$500 per night
(4th cycle)
$750 per night
(8th cycle)
+50%
Ovolo SouthsideMini Twin (Single)$500 per night
(4th cycle)
$750 per night
(8th cycle)
+50%

These increases extend to other room types as well. For instance, the cost for Club Suite (Double) at JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La increased by 76.41%, from $2,238 to $3,948 per night; the cost for a Presidential Suite with 3 bedrooms and a kitchenette at Regal Airport Hotel increased by 47.5%, from $28,800 to $42,500 per night, from the 6th and 8th cycle.

There have been reductions in room rates for single non-suite rooms, albeit only in four hotels.

HOTELROOM TYPEINITIAL COSTLATEST COSTΔ
Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hong KongType A Superior Room$1,150 per night
(6th cycle)
$1,122 per night (8th cycle)-2.4%
The Charterhouse Causeway Bay Hong KongEconomy Single Room$650 per night
(7th cycle)
$620 per night
(8th cycle)
-4.6%
Hotel Ease ‧ Mong KokStandard Ease$750 per night
(7th cycle)
$660 per night
(8th cycle)
-12%
The Kowloon HotelSuperior Room$1,150 per night
(7th cycle)
$980 per night
(8th cycle)
-14.8%
Price reductions (in HKD) of single non-suite DQH rooms

Twelve quarantine hotels haven’t increased for the analysed rooms: Metropark Hotel Kowloon, Silka Tsuen Wan, Rambler Garden Hotel, iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel (standard 13.2 – 18.7 sq.m rooms), Regala Skycity Hotel, OZO Wesley, Regal Kowloon Hotel, Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers, Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East, One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers.

To access the full comparative table, click here.

* Methodology : The cost for non-suite rooms (single guest) has been taken from the official government website (4th cycle5th cycle6th cycle7th cycle8th cycle). The room name is displayed in column B. Some hotels seem to have opened different types of rooms during the sixth cycle (ie. Dorsett Kwun Tong, and iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel); two entries have been created. Some room names have changed between the cycles, and in this case we have considered the rooms the same if the size is the same.

Header image credits: Geckophotos via Canva

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6 Actionable SEO Tips Hong Kong Start-ups Can Use To Achieve Better Rankings https://thehkhub.com/6-actionable-seo-tips-hong-kong-start-ups-can-use-to-achieve-better-rankings/ Thu, 14 Feb 2019 09:37:50 +0000 https://thehkhub.com/?p=38431 Small businesses wishing to increase their visibility in search engines can be reluctant to launch an SEO campaign. Whether it’s a matter of budget or resources to look after it, there can be various challenges, especially if the company competes with important competitors in search results. However, there are easy ways to start building an SEO strategy on a budget.

Run a keyword research

Keywords is the foundation of any SEO strategy since the goal is to make sure that you know the terms your pages will target and you will have to tweak your pages to improve your keyword targeting strategy so that Google can rank the page higher. In short, Google needs to understand the topic of your pages and running a keyword research can help you find relevant terms as well to set a priority for each one of them.

Here are some tips to help you running a powerful keyword research:

  • Use Google Keyword Planner to highlight the relevant terms for each page that could potentially get traffic from search engines. For instance, there is no need to look for keywords for your “Terms & Conditions” or for your “Contact” pages but analyzing your homepage, categories, products, services and articles will lead to interesting terms you might want to target.
  • The most powerful pages such as the homepage and the categories should target the most researched and competitive terms. The reason is that these pages tend to be more linked internally, because they are part of your menu, and they also acquire more links from third-party websites. As a consequence, they get more “weight” from Google and they will rank in an easier way. However, your articles and products should target “Long-Tail Keywords”, which are more specific queries with less competition.
  • Focus on a given set of keywords for each page, that should be part of a given semantic field rather than adding the same keywords in different pages. The goal is to drive users to the right pages not to mislead them by sending them to irrelevant pages.
Keyword planner

Note that Google Keyword Planner allows you to filter by regions and districts. Therefore, it is advised to make sure that you are searching for keywords with “Hong Kong” as default location. This tool works fine with Cantonese (Traditional Chinese) and Mandarin (Simplified Chinese), which is useful if you propose content for these different languages.

While a keyword research is useful to find the terms, it can also be used to identify new articles you should write and this can be a way tool to also improve your content marketing strategy. For instance, if you are in the “Travel” or “Lifestyle” industry, searching for “what to visit Hong Kong” will trigger two features: “People Also Ask” and “Related Searches”.

Related Searches feature

screen shot of 'related searches' on google

People Also Ask feature

screenshot of google 'people always ask'

These features are based on user’s data which implies that there is a demand for that kind of content. Creating new pages to tackle these topics will help to increase your organic traffic.

Target long tail keywords first

Optimizing long tail keywords for small businesses is a great SEO strategy. Long tail keywords are terms that are less researched but that will lead to high conversions because they are quite specific, such has “buy ankle boots online” or “ankle boots Hong Kong”.

If you target this query, rather than “ankle boot”, it will be easier to rank and you will improve your sales since the query contains the intent of the user.

It is strongly advised to proceed that way when you start your business because your pages won’t be powerful enough, at the beginning of your strategy, to compete for more competitive keywords. It’s a way to start selling on a short-term. Then, when your SEO strategy becomes more mature, you will be able to target keywords that are more researched.

Improve your Title Tags to match the relevant keywords

The Title Tag is the element that sum-ups the content of your page and most CMS allow you to change it in a quite easy way. Note that this information is displayed in two different locations:

  • In the browser, at the top of your screen.
  • Directly in search results.

While it’s an important SEO signal, note that:

  • A Title Tag should include keywords that are researched by Internet users.
  • A Title Tag must summarize what users will find in your page.
  • A Title Tag should be CTR-oriented and be catchy enough to make users click.
  • A Title Tag must be unique across your website and should be short enough so that search engines will properly display them in search results.
screenshot of an optimised title tag

Improving your Title Tags can be seen as an easy fix and it’s still powerful to rank higher.

As a user, if you search online using Google.com.hk in English, you might have noticed that Google returns a lot of results from websites that are not necessarily based in Hong Kong.

screenshot of how title tags display on google

Most likely, you will refine your search by adding “Hong Kong” and the search results will be more accurate. Therefore, if you are a brand targeting Hong Kong, it is advised to add “Hong Kong” at the end of your Title Tags, as follow: [Page’s Title] – [Brand] Hong Kong.

Create internal links to spread the popularity across the pages

Internal links are links that will allow your visitors to jump from a page to another and while it’s helpful to improve the user-experience, it’s also one of the main signal search engines take into consideration to improve the rankings of your pages.

  • They must link pages that are related.
  • Google will use the clickable piece of text to understand the topic of the linked page.
  • Most of the CMS allow you to amend the internal links using the text editor.
  • There are no limits in terms of number of links you can create between your pages as long as it makes sense for search engines and users.
screenshot of internal links on website

The link above on “Ankle Boots” from the blog will increase the rankings of the category and will help visitors to find the page that lists the products that they can purchase.

Get external links to enhance your popularity

To improve your site popularity, get links from third-party website to your platform.

  • Links from related domains will help search engines to understand your niche and it is recommended to get links from your targeted market, as much as possible.
  • External links increase site’s trust which is vital for your SEO.
  • Avoid link farms and low-quality websites such as generic SEO and article directories.
  • Avoid having too many links with the same “Anchor Text” (clickable piece of text), since it can trigger a penalty and your rankings can drop.
  • To boost the quality of your external links, build a business blog, create inspiring and viral content which is valuable, informative and entertaining for natural linking.
example of external links

Here, the link on “Ankle Booties” will help the category from Nordstorm.com to rank higher for the whole set of keywords targeted by the page. Developing a powerful link building strategy by establishing editorial partnerships and getting featured in websites that are close to your industry will skyrocket your rankings.

Use Google Maps if you provide local services

Google Maps is powerful to get exposure in Hong Kong and just requires a few minutes to set up:

  • Verify your business in Google My Business.
  • Fill the requested information such as:
    • Your address.
    • The opening hours of your business.
    • Your phone number and website address.
    • The industry your business belongs to.
    • Your appointment URL, if applicable.
    • Your zone, if applicable.
  • Ask your clients to write reviews.

According to the maturity of your industry and the competitiveness of your keywords, SEO can take few months to show satisfying results but there are quite few techniques that can help your web-pages to rank higher. Moreover, note that the larger your website is, the more effort you will need to improve the visibility of the whole set of pages in search results. In that case, SEO might require more investments and hiring a SEO company like Get Clicks Hong Kong can be a good move to save time and benefit from professional advice. While SEO campaigns generally last for few months, it’s one of the most profitable traffic sources since you will not have to pay for each click you receive from Google, unlike Pay-Per-Clicks campaigns like Google Adwords.

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