‘iPERMIT’ ANNOUNCEMENT SET TO BOOST VISITOR ARRIVALS FROM TAIWAN

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has warmly welcomed today’s announcement by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Tung Chee Hwa, that the Government will introduce an “iPermit” electronic visa system for visitors from Taiwan.

HKTB Executive Director Ms Clara Chong said the move would bring an estimated 100,000 extra vacation and business visitors to Hong Kong in 2002, generating an additional HK$470 million in tourism receipts. “By reducing the permit processing time and fees, it will increase travellers’ convenience and definitely add momentum to the tourism business,” she said.

“From a tourism perspective, it also strongly complements the five-day working week in Taiwan,” she added. “Taiwan residents now have more opportunities to take long weekend breaks, and the iPermit option will enable them to make their travel decisions spontaneously.”

Ms Chong said the HKTB would work closely with the travel trade to publicise the new procedure, as well as reviewing airline capacity with relevant authorities, which would be crucial to its success.

“We intend to make use of this opportunity to introduce new promotions in the Taiwan market, especially those targeted at the younger generation,” she said.

“We will also create co-operative partnerships with the travel trade to develop special travel packages that can take advantage of the added convenience.”

Ms Chong noted that the timing of iPermit’s introduction was very opportune, as Lunar New Year is one of the peak periods for Taiwan visitors to Hong Kong. “We will have more attractions than ever to offer them this time, with three major events scheduled as part of our City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign: Hong Kong Lights Up from December to February; the International Chinese New Year Parade to celebrate the new Year of the Horse, and the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza in February and March.”

The HKTB has also welcomed a separate announcement today that Chung Hwa Travel Service will establish an office at the Hong Kong International Airport to handle Mainland visitors en route to Taiwan. “This will help to increase the number of Mainland residents travelling to Taiwan via Hong Kong,” Ms Chong noted.



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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.