GOVERNMENT’S NEW TOURISM MEASURES TO BRING IN 300,000 MAINLAND VISITORS

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) welcomes and supports the Policy Address released 10 October 2001, and is encouraged by the news of measures jointly proposed by the Special Administrative Region and the Central governments which will make it easier for Mainland travellers to visit Hong Kong.

These timely proposals are in line with the current market situation and will have a positive effect towards overcoming some of the difficulties faced by the tourism industry.

It is preliminarily estimated that the Hong Kong SAR Government’s new measures will attract an extra 300,000 visitors from the Mainland, bringing in HK$1.5 billion in additional tourism receipts.

HKTB Chairman The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, JP, said: “Hong Kong’s tourism industry has been unavoidably affected by the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States. Coupled with the recent military action taken by the US Government, our long-haul visitors have now adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude towards their travel plans.

“Mainland China, being Hong Kong’s biggest source market, is of utmost importance to the short- and medium-term development of Hong Kong’s tourism business. Therefore the HKTB strongly supports the related measures proposed in today’s Policy Address.”

Mrs Chow added that with more flexible travel measures and arrangements for Mainland travellers proposed by the two governments, the abolition of a quota system, and the approval for all Mainland outbound agencies to organise Hong Kong tours, the Mainland tourism market will become completely open to Hong Kong.

"The local tourism industry will certainly benefit in real terms if appropriate promotions and right itineraries can be designed for these visitors. We will hold discussions with the local and Mainland travel trade as soon as possible to draw up necessary arrangements and develop business opportunities,” she added.

The HKTB has in the past approached the Central Government to streamline related procedures and the Hong Kong SAR Government has made inroads in reaching an agreement. To prepare for these proposals, the HKTB has been discussing marketing plans with the Mainland travel trade. This includes setting up representative offices in Guangzhou and Chengdu as soon as possible, as well as inviting major Mainland trade representatives to Hong Kong by the end of this year to showcase tourism products and study business opportunities. The Board will also be reviewing tourism resources at the next Pearl River Delta Tourism Marketing Organization meeting, of which HKTB is a member, so as to strengthen complementary marketing efforts.

Mrs Chow also noted that the construction of a new exhibition centre at Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok and the relaxation of visa limitations for Mainland business travellers were proposals the HKTB also advocated. These measures will encourage more business activities and travellers to Hong Kong and will help achieve the HKTB’s objectives of attracting more high-yield visitors and maximising their consumption here.

The HKTB believes that the measures proposed by the government, together with the major tourism and infrastructure projects to be completed in the coming years, will be helpful for Hong Kong to ride out economic hardships.

“Most importantly, we must understand the role we play in developing the tourism industry and in stimulating consumption. With the Mainland as our major source market, we need to be more courteous towards these visitors, cater to their needs and offer quality services. These are also important factors for Hong Kong’s excellent reputation and long-term attraction for visitors worldwide,” Mrs Chow added.