Hong Kong celebrates the birth of the first native panda twins. Panda twins Jia Jia ("Elder Sister") and De De ("Little Brother") are the protagonists of a true revolution in the local tourism and media landscape. Born on August 15, 2024, to the famous Ying Ying, considered the world's oldest new panda mother, these cubs have become Ocean Park's new star attraction, with a public debut that attracted thousands of visitors and sparked a veritable "panda mania.".
Panda twins Jia Jia and De De in Hong Kong: their impact on tourism and the local economy
The presence of panda twins Jia Jia and De De represents a turning point for Hong Kong's economy and tourism. Hong Kong's tourism growth is directly influenced by the "panda economy." Bookings for Ocean Park have increased by 2013T since the official unveiling of the cubs, with 751T of those bookings coming from international visitors. The government invests in creative campaigns like "Pandastic Hong Kong." Meanwhile, the presence of six pandas in the city center represents one of the largest panda communities outside mainland China.Hong Kong is positioning itself as the "world panda capital." The city is ready to invest in new dedicated themed areas and a documentary on the growth of Jia Jia and De De. The twins are a symbol of local pride and ambassadors of tourism, with special itineraries and themed merchandise fueling the sector's economic boom.