HKTB welcomes tourism policy changes
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The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) welcomes the tourism-related proposals presented by Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang in his Policy Address today (14 October), which would facilitate further development of the tourism industry.
Below are comments by HKTB Chairman Mr James Tien:
Hong Kong geopark listed as a national geopark
“The HKTB welcomes the listing of our geopark as a national geopark. Boasting a treasure trove of distinctive geological features, the geopark will not only offer new tourist attractions, but also significantly boost our ability to develop green tourism. As a matter of fact, green tourism has become a popular global trend in recent years. This October, the HKTB launched a brand new month-long hiking promotion ‘Great Outdoors Hong Kong!’, which has received encouraging response from visitors.
“To promote our green tourism, the HKTB will continue to organise the ‘Great Outdoors Hong Kong!’ promotion in the coming year. We have already identified the family segment as one of our key target segments. Working closely with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, we will promote to the family visitors the geopark, along with our wide array of family attractions.”
Conserving Central
“The Policy Address has outlined a series of revitalisation projects and proposals on tourism and leisure facilities at various sites in Central. Aimed at conserving the district, these projects will further enhance the overall appeal of Central to visitors.
“I think the opening up of public space at the Central Ferry Piers sites for leisure, recreational and cultural uses, such as for alfresco dining, will be a definite draw to visitors. As for the conversion of Murray Building into a hotel, this will increase the hotel supply in this core district of Hong Kong. In particular, this will offer business visitors even greater and more convenient choices of accommodation. The other conservation and revitalisation projects will also help showcase Hong Kong’s unique culture and heritage, as well as living culture, in the long run. The HKTB will render our promotional support and help publicise these facilities, so that visitors can fully experience our vibrant culture and unique heritage.”
Hong Kong travel agents to operate in Mainland China and further development of Mainland-Hong Kong-Taiwan multi-destination tourism products
“I am in support of the proposal of seeking to enable Hong Kong travel agents to operate Taiwan tours in the Mainland, which is expected to generate further business opportunities for our tourism industry. There is also great potential of the Mainland-Hong Kong-Taiwan cruise travel market. In the coming year, the HKTB will step up collaboration with the SAR Government, tourism organisations of the Mainland coastal regions, as well as cruise industry partners. Together we will develop air and cruise packages featuring the three destinations, encouraging Mainland visitors to make stops in Hong Kong on their way to Taiwan. By promoting multi-destination travel between the three destinations, we believe this will lessen the impact on Hong Kong’s tourism brought by the cross-strait direct links.”
The HKTB is currently preparing its work plan for 2010-11. In mapping out its promotional initiatives for the coming year, the HKTB will carefully examine how to tie in with the measures outlined in the Policy Address, so as to foster the continuous development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry.
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Media can download the press release from the HKTB’s DiscoverHongKong.com website:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/about-hktb/press-releases.html
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