HKTB STEPS UP EFFORTS TO LURE MAINLAND VISITORS

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has pledged to increase its efforts to encourage the development of new tourism attractions in Hong Kong, as well as pressing for policies to be streamlined in order to attract more visitors from Mainland China.

Responding to remarks made this afternoon (23 May) by the Chief Executive, The Hon Mr Tung Chee Hwa, when he toured the Stanley area, the HKTB’s Chairman, The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, JP, said she shared Mr Tung’s concerns that Hong Kong needed to do more to ensure tourism growth could be maintained.

Speaking in Beijing during the “Go West” trip, Mrs Chow said: “The recent tourism enhancements to Stanley are a good example of how the HKTB, different Government departments and the private sector can work together to add value to an existing successful product.

“We are working closely with various Government departments, especially the Tourism Commission, to ensure there is a steady supply of both new and enhanced products coming on stream to meet market demand over the coming years. These range from the International Wetland Park, the Tung Chung Cable Car project and the West Kowloon integrated arts and entertainment centre to Hong Kong Disneyland.”

As regards attracting Mainland visitors to Hong Kong, Mrs Chow is taking the opportunity of the “Go West” trip to China, led by the Chief Secretary, to promote Hong Kong as a preferred destination in the Western Region of China.

“The most critical issue is to make it easier for Mainland residents to visit Hong Kong, whether for leisure or business purposes. We have approached the relevant authorities to seek ways of streamlining the quota system and travel permits,” said Mrs Chow. While in Beijing this week, she met the Public Security Bureau, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office under the State Council and the China National Tourism Administration.

“We also need to cater for a noticeable trend away from group tours, previously the mainstay of this sector, to individual travellers,” Mrs Chow added.

The Mainland is an especially important target market as it is easily Hong Kong’s largest source of visitors, its 3.79 million arrivals in 2000 accounting for 29% of the total. Mainland visitors are also among the highest per capita spenders, each visitor contributing an average HK$4,831 to the economy last year.



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The Hong Kong Tourism Board was formerly known as the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA). The change took effect from 1 April 2001 and reflects a change to the tourism body’s constitutional structure. Its primary responsibilities for marketing and promoting Hong Kong as a destination worldwide, and for providing visitors with assistance when they arrive, remain unchanged.