HONG KONG NAMED HOST OF TOP TRAVEL CONGRESS AS TRADE VISITORS SIT DOWN TO BUSINESS

After a weekend exploring Hong Kong’s many attractions which included last night’s spectacular launch of the CLP Lights Up Hong Kong programme on the Kowloon waterfront, senior travel trade executives participating in the Hong Kong Salutes the World programme got down to some serious talking today (10 December).

Over 200 executives from travel companies worldwide along with global media guests met representatives of the local tourism industry at a round-table gathering at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) to explore mutually beneficial business opportunities, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

HKTB Executive Director Ms Clara Chong said that the gathering – part of a five-day familiarisation visit for major international tour wholesalers, travel agents, airlines and cruise companies – provided an opportunity to re-energise the interest of the travel trade worldwide and let them rediscover the bottom-line value of promoting Hong Kong as a destination.

Ms Chong was also able to give the delegates some exciting news: Hong Kong has won its bid to host the annual World Travel Congress of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) in 2004. A contract confirming Hong Kong’s selection was signed during today’s seminar between Ms Chong and ASTA President and CEO, Mr Richard Copland.

ASTA is the world’s largest and most prestigious association of travel professionals, boasting more than 26,000 members. The 2004 World Travel Congress, to be held from 28 September to 3 October, is expected to bring more than 5,000 delegates to Hong Kong, including thousands of US travel agents who will have the opportunity to see the City of Life for themselves. Hong Kong last hosted the event in 1965.

“This is a great honour for Hong Kong and I should like to thank our industry partners, especially the Hong Kong Hotels Association and the HKCEC, for their role in making our bid successful,” Ms Chong said.

“ASTA’s decision to choose Hong Kong is very important and timely for us, as it shows that the US travel trade has long-term confidence in Hong Kong as a destination. This, in turn, will stimulate their interest in packaging and promoting Hong Kong to their customers. Already, Hong Kong commands the largest share of US outbound travel of any destination in Asia.”

Ms Chong added that China’s accession to the WTO and Beijing’s successful bid to host the 2008 Olympics would bring an added boost to US–Hong Kong tourism. “By 2004 when the ASTA Congress takes place, these two developments will be providing a great number of new business opportunities for overseas companies,” she observed. “Hong Kong’s role as the premier regional transport and communications hub will make it an excellent base both for doing business in the Mainland and for staging related conferences and exhibitions.”

HKCEC Managing Director Mr Cliff Wallace echoed Ms Chong’s view. “When it comes to staging conferences, exhibitions, meeting and incentive gatherings, however large or small, Hong Kong has few equals anywhere in the world,” he said. “We not only have superb convention facilities but also excellent supporting infrastructure and so many other attractions for delegates to enjoy, all within such convenient reach. ASTA has made a wise choice.”

The Hong Kong Hotels Association also played an important part in securing Hong Kong’s bid for the ASTA Congress by offering competitive rates for the delegates. Association Chairman Mr Mark Lettenbichler said that the news of ASTA’s decision to come to Hong Kong in 2004 would be greatly welcomed by the members after a very difficult year for the industry. “Although Hong Kong has not been as badly affected as some destinations by the events of 11 September, of course we have seen a decline in occupancy levels,” he said. “This strong vote of confidence from the US market is especially encouraging.”

Mr Lettenbichler added that the conference and meetings business was extremely valuable to Hong Kong’s hotel industry, as convention delegates were among the highest yield customers. “We are always ready to provide attractive packages for event organisers,” he promised.

Earlier, during her opening address to the seminar entitled Hong Kong Tourism – Expanding the Horizons, Ms Chong emphasised Hong Kong’s amazing diversity and contrasts to the visiting delegates. “What makes Hong Kong unique is the way the variety and intensity of experience – oriental and occidental – is concentrated in such a small area that is easily accessible in such a short time,” she said. “There is always something intriguing and fascinating for our tourists.”

The City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign, she explained, was designed to unlock some of the city’s lesser known attractions, at the same time as providing major events that leveraged on Hong Kong’s recognised strengths such as shopping, dining and entertainment.

“We think you can capture great business opportunities by revealing these treasures of Hong Kong” Ms Chong told the delegates. “Together we are creating the most exciting, dynamic and vibrant tourism destination in Asia. And we intend to see it stay that way.”