The 90s was all about entertainment and having fun. The people of Hong Kong fell in love with karaoke and overseas travel, both of which are still their favourite pastimes to this very day.
There were already several travel agencies operating in the 60s and 70s, albeit with a limited scope of services. They mainly dealt with receiving overseas tourists and booking sea and air tickets on behalf of clients, as not many people could afford holidaying abroad back then.
Towards the end of the 70s, however, Hong Kong's industrial sector flourished and the economy took off. Consequently, overseas travel became more affordable and the city's various agencies began to thrive. Amidst the ups and downs of the tourism industry between the 70s and 90s, some of the longest-standing companies have borne witness to the sector's continual evolution. Some agencies capitalised on Hong Kongers' particular fondness of Japan and came into prominence by specialising in tours to this particular destination. The success of these companies was not only testament to the hard work of their founders and operators, but also a reflection of the social environment and the mentality of the better-off citizens at the time.
In addition to boosting outward tourism, the craze for all things Japanese, along with the growth of consumerism, also influenced the development of local entertainment. In particular, karaoke, which was introduced into Hong Kong in the late 80s and rose to immense popularity in the 90s, became an irreplaceable aspect of our city's entertainment culture. Karaoke boxes run by different chains lined the streets, with each trying to differentiate themselves from their competition through marketing campaigns such as television spots and singing contests. These efforts the Japanese invention become an indispensable part of Hong Kong’s popular culture, and even propelled the creation of local popular music. A significant portion of our city's population grew up with karaoke,
