MARKETING GURU CLARA CHONG APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION

Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) Chairman The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, JP, announced today (8 February) the appointment of Ms Clara Chong as Executive Director with effect 19 March 2001. Ms Chong succeeds Mrs Amy Chan, who took early retirement in September 2000.

Making the announcement at the tourism body’s annual planning conference, Mrs Chow said Ms Chong brings with her state-of-the-art strategic planning and marketing skills as the Hong Kong tourism industry enters a new era.

“Ms Chong’s appointment comes at a time when the HKTA faces its biggest challenges. We are in an ideal position to build on our significant achievements of the past year, with visitor arrivals reaching 13.06 million and major tourism projects and initiatives in the pipeline, on which we will be working with a revitalised and enthusiastic industry. With the reconstitution of the organisation as the Hong Kong Tourism Board, we are heading in a new direction, with fresh leadership,” she said.

Ms Chong, 44, is a consummate marketing professional. After graduating from the University of Bradford with a MBA degree in Marketing in 1982, Ms Chong joined Time Inc to work her way up the ranks to become New Business Manager, Southeast Asia for Time magazine. In 1986, her career took a change in direction when she assumed the Direct Marketing Manager position at Standard Chartered Bank.

Fifteen years later Ms Chong has become a highly valued top tier management team player at Standard Chartered, holding various senior management positions in the fields of global strategic marketing, Hong Kong and China credit card business and consumer banking product development.

She was Head of Card Services, Hong Kong, before taking up the present concurrent roles of Country Head, Credit Card & Personal Loan, Hong Kong & China, and Group Head, Strategic Marketing and Customer Development, on a worldwide basis. Under her leadership, Standard Chartered Bank’s card business has attained the market leader position in Hong Kong. Ms Chong also played a vital role in developing a global branding strategy for the overall Standard Chartered Bank.

Ms Chong has been leading a 500-strong team at Standard Chartered Bank. Having also played a key role in co-brand card management, she will be providing excellent guidance in building partnership and strategic alliances. “With such extensive marketing experience, business acumen and international outlook, the HKTA Board is most confident Ms Chong will make an equally valuable contribution to ensuring that the organisation is in an even stronger position to market and to promote Hong Kong’s attractions worldwide,” Mrs Chow added.

Ms Chong, commenting on her new appointment, said: “This is indeed an exciting time to be joining the HKTA team. I am looking forward to working with the many dedicated and talented professionals in the HKTA, in Hong Kong and in its offices around the world, to ensure that Hong Kong retains its pre-eminent position in the marketplace.”