Bill Calderwood joins Skyrail-ITM (Hong Kong) as General Manager

Australian tourism industry identity Mr Bill Calderwood has been appointed General Manager of Skyrail-ITM (Hong Kong) Ltd, the operators of Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong’s upcoming tourist attraction on Lantau Island. He succeeds Mr David Clare, who has managed the project over the last two and a half years.

Mr Calderwood was formerly Chief Executive Officer for Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), based in Cairns, Australia.

Mr Calderwood has also served as Deputy Managing Director of the Australian Tourist Commission, working on the Olympics tourism strategy, and headed Traveland, one of the largest travel organizations in Australia.

A renowned tourism professional, he also sits on a variety of Asia Pacific tourism industry advisory boards including PATA.

Dr Ken Chapman, CEO of Skyrail-ITM, said, “With Bill’s wealth of experience in the tourism industry in Asia, we are sure he will lead Ngong Ping 360 into a very successful opening year.”

Currently under construction, Ngong Ping 360 is set to open in early 2006. It is anticipated that this new tourist attraction will welcome 1.5 million visitors in its first year of operation, half of which are expected to be Hong Kong residents with the remainder coming from mainland China, Asia and long-haul markets.

Ngong Ping 360 combines a stunning 5.7km cable car journey with a cultural themed village and easy access to the Tian Tan Big Buddha, the world’s largest, seated, outdoor, bronze Big Buddha statue.

Ngong Ping Skyrail will be a 20-25 minute cable car journey between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, providing panoramic views of the Tian Tan Big Buddha, the flora and fauna of the beautiful North Lantau Country Park, Tung Chung Bay and Hong Kong International Airport.

Ngong Ping Village, designed in traditional Chinese style to reflect and maintain the cultural and spiritual integrity of the area, will feature themed attractions including Walking with Buddha, Monkey’s Tale Theatre and the Ngong Ping Tea House.

The project is being developed and financed by the MTR Corporation. It is managed by Skyrail-ITM (Hong Kong) Ltd, whose Australian parent company built and operates the world-famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Cairns.

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