A SPECIAL tour to Hong Kong in early September will give people involved in Australia’s agricultural industries the opportunity to learn more about the Asian market and connect with potential customers in the region.

The Access Hong Kong 2017 tour being organised by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) will depart on a chartered Qantas B747-400 jumbo jet on September 3, 2017, from Toowoomba’s privately-built Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.

The tour provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the powerhouse Asian markets and have access to extensive trade networks.

TSBE executive chairman Shane Charles said Hong Kong was a hub of international business, trade, tourism and investment.

“Hong Kong places itself as the gateway to China and Asia, and this trip is taking our agriculture and food, energy and resources, logistics and education cohorts direct to their potential future markets and opportunities,” he said.

“Access Hong Kong builds on the connectivity our region already shares with Hong Kong via our weekly freight flight out of the airport, capable of carrying 136 tonnes of produce and products.”

The jam-packed tour itinerary features speakers who will address a host of topics, including linking to Asian businesses; branding for the Asian market; and pitching to Asian investors.

The tour will give delegates unique access to a number of site visits, including SF Express, Cathay Pacific’s cargo terminal, Kowloon vegetable markets and the Asian Fruit Logistics conference.

Beef Central will be aboard the tour, along with a host of agricultural producers, processors, exporters, financiers and local government representatives.

Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) major, Paul Antonio, who will be joining the tour, said he was delighted to be flying the Toowoomba Region’s flag in Hong Kong when the Qantas 747 leaves Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport in just 12 weeks.

“As a region, we punch well above our weight in agricultural production and food processing, in education, in medical care, and as we look to increase our tourism market, we are in a remarkable position to take our offering to the world,” Mayor Antonio said.

“With Hong Kong as Asia’s world city and a hub for international business, trade, tourism and investment, Access Hong Kong is a remarkable opportunity for producers and business people in our region to further connect with the Asian market and to establish relationships that will benefit our regional economy for many years to come.”

The Access Hong Kong 2017 tour follows last year’s successful Access China 2016 tour on which delegates travelled to Shanghai on a Qantas A330, the first international passenger flight to depart the newly-constructed Wellcamp Airport.

Many seats have now been filled for Access Hong Kong 2017, but there is still a chance to join the tour which runs for five days, with the opportunity of an extension beyond that.

For those unable to attend the full program but would like to join the flight for high-altitude networking, one-way tickets are now available.

For delegates looking to bring their spouse, a special package has been designed.

Contact: TSBE, (07) 4639 4600, email: events@tsbe.com.au