Google Maps turns 20, celebrates Hong Kong's culinary treasures with Nicholas Tse

Google Maps is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with the launch of #UngatekeepingMaps, a guide to some of the lesser-known attractions and hidden gems across the Asia-Pacific region.

For the Hong Kong leg of the celebration, Google Maps has partnered with actor, musician, and celebrity chef Nicholas ‘chef Nic’ Tse. A specially curated map titled Chef Nic’s Choice will help locals and visitors to engage more deeply with the unique culinary culture of Hong Kong. The map also includes a concert warm-up music playlist to mark Tse’s return to stage for his first solo concert after a two-and-a-half-decade-long break.

Besides giving an insight into a celebrity’s preferred dining locations, the campaign highlights a feature that allows users of Google Maps to create and curate interest-specific lists of their favourite locations and recommendations to assist other Maps users. 

Searching for Hong Kong on Maps will also bring up recommendations from other Google partners including the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the MTR Corporation (the city’s public transport provider) and, and travel portal KKday. In addition, to mark the 10^th anniversary of Hong Kong’s Local Guides community, Google has also unveiled a selection of the city's most-reviewed and most-photographed spots. 

Speaking about the collaboration, Tse said, “Google Maps has always been my trusted companion for travel. It not only helps me navigate and customise my routes but also helps me discover local food and attractions. I am thrilled to share my favourite Hong Kong restaurants with friends worldwide through the new Shared List Feature in Hong Kong. I hope to inspire everyone to explore this ‘food paradise’.”

The campaign encourages users to explore the APAC region by sharing their favourite Google Maps spots and enabling access via the #UngatekeepingMaps on social media, enabling the discovery of areas like Japan’s most scenic ports; Indonesia’s best cafes with a view, and Singapore's lesser-known museums.