Hong Kong wins bid to host Gay Games 2022

Hong Kong has been named as the presumptive host city for the 2022 Gay Games XI after the Federation of Gay Games General Assembly voted in Paris on Monday yesterday, beating Washington D.C. and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Dennis Philipse, founder and chair of Gay Games XI Hong Kong 2022, who leads the delegation in Paris currently, announced the news on his Facebook page at the early hours of Tuesday morning Hong Kong time.

Hong Kong's win will mark the first time an Asian city is hosting the Gay Games. Its bid received support from commercial and sporting bodies such as Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Rugby Union, Pure Fitness Group, Lan Kwai Fong Group, besides government-linked bodies such as the Hong Kong Tourism Board, University of Hong Kong and the Equal Opportunities Commission. 

The bidding team had earlier released a statement saying that estimated cost to host the games stands at US$7 million with anticipated revenue of US$9 million. The 10-day event is expected to draw 15,000 participants and 40,000 spectators, bringing in HK$1 billion in transport, accommodation, F&B and shopping. The delegation will host a Facebook live session later this afternoon to share more details about their win. 

Back in June, Campaign caught up with Douglas White, director, public face, for the bid, who explained how cultural divisions in Asia can be a hurdle for PR firms working on projects with a multinational scope.