Google Maps Turns 20 with Chef Nic’s Culinary Guide

Google Maps marks its 20th anniversary with #UngatekeepingMaps, a guide to hidden gems across APAC.

Google Maps celebrated its 20th anniversary launching #UngatekeepingMaps - a campaign promising to showcase hidden gems and lesser-known places all over the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Here in Hong Kong, in its campaign, Google Maps has collaborated with actor, musician, and celebrity chef Nicholas 'Chef Nic' Tse to get up a bite of the city's vibrant culinary culture.

In conjunction with the campaign, Chef Nic's Choice, which is a specially curated list on Google Maps, also features Tse's favorite restaurants across Hong Kong. The map shows a concert warm-up playlist celebrating Tse's return to the stage for his first solo concert in over 25 years. The campaign also highlighted Google Maps' Shared List Feature, which allows users to create and share curated location lists so that others can find new places themselves.

Google Maps users searching Hong Kong would see recommendations by Google partners, like the Hong Kong Tourism Board, MTR Corporation, and travel portal KKday. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's Local Guides community, Google also published a list of the most-reviewed and photographed places in town.

Excited over collaboration, Tse calls Google Maps his "trusted travel companion" and urges users globally to take a trip down the culinary lane in Hong Kong with the new features.

With a view beyond Hong Kong, #UngatekeepingMaps is looking to inspire travel across the rest of APAC, featuring scenic ports in Japan, Indonesia's finest view cafes, and some lesser-known museums in Singapore. Users are encouraged to share their favorite places on their social platforms to help others find hidden gems.