Asians in Asia: Never a dull moment in Hong Kong

Name: Amy Wei

Age: 34

Occupation: Senior Director of Asia-Pacific, KAYAK

Place of birth: Taipei

Current city: Hong Kong

Time in current city: 3 years

1) WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK IN HONG KONG?

There is never a dull moment in Hong Kong. To me, no other city in the world best symbolizes and encapsulates the important relationship between the East and the West, in particular technology and travel. This can be seen when you land in Hong Kong International Airport, which serves as the gateway for many Western travellers coming to Asia and for the new generation of Asia-Pacific travellers headed to other destinations. Everyone in Hong Kong - whether expat or local, coming or going, just flying in or settling down - speaks at least two to three languages, giving it a multi-cultural tilt that rivals other well-known destinations.

2) WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES ADAPTING TO LIFE IN HONG KONG?

Everyone knows that Hong Kong is a place where space is limited, but the pace, hustle and bustle definitely was eye-opening. This is coming from someone who has lived and worked in San Francisco, New York and Shanghai. Also, speaking Cantonese would help.

3) WHAT ARE YOUR WEEKENDS LIKE IN HONG KONG?

My husband and I travel quite a bit, and given that Hong Kong is the gateway to many great destinations in Asia, everything is a short hop away. However, after we started a family, weekends are now mostly spent catching up with friends while trying the newest restaurants in the city such as Mamasita, Mercato and Commissary, as well as getting reacquainted with some old favourites including Mott 32, Cafe Causette in the Mandarin Oriental, Nantei and Tsui Wah. When we are not eating our way through the city, I find time for yoga or a workout. We also take our 6-month old daughter all around town so that she can take in the sights, sounds and smells.

4) WHAT ARE THE MUST-DO THINGS FOR SOMEONE VISITING HONG KONG?

For first-timers, sampling the diverse cuisine, getting your picture of the world-famous skyline (especially on a clear night - I’m partial to taking the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui for the view), taking the Peak Tram to stargaze from the Peak, going to the Big Buddha, shopping in Causeway Bay, Mongkok and Central are must-dos. When my husband, who has lived in Hong Kong for over 9 years, first showed me around, he took me on a relaxing ferry ride, rode the famous trams (aka ding dings) and hiked/biked on some of the outlying islands (Tai O, Mui Wo, Cheung Chau, etc.) where you can see wild boars, pink dolphins and incredible scenery.

5) FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE ACHIEVED IN THIS CITY?

Personally, I would like to get more involved in encouraging and mentoring those who want to work in technology. Within the next five years, I hope to encourage more young people (and particularly the next generation of women tech leaders) to embrace the challenges of, and lend a fresh perspective to, our constantly evolving online travel industry. Career-wise, I would also want everyone to know our brand and what we can offer our customers, especially when they see me carrying my KAYAK backpack around town.

6) WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO PEOPLE ASPIRING TO WORK IN HONG KONG?

While Hong Kong is a gateway that welcomes everyone, it is not for everyone. It is an incredibly efficient place to do business and you do not really need to worry about safety, political stability and language. However, in any field in Hong Kong, the pace is fast, it will be intensely competitive and people work incredibly hard. If you are not willing to do this, Hong Kong might not be for you. If you are motivated and willing to put in the work, this is a place where you can thrive... the unique East-West positioning, ease of doing business and developed infrastructure are second to none and can support your growth.