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Speech by Commissioner for Tourism (English only)

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Following is the full text of a speech by the Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Rebecca Lai, at the 9th Asian International Exhibition of Hospitality Equipment, Supplies and Technology, Food and Drink (HOFEX 2001) opening ceremony today (May 8):

Mr Cheung, Mrs Chow, Mr Lettenbichler, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here today to attend the Opening Ceremony of HOFEX 2001. I would like to congratulate the organisers for achieving such a remarkable turnout and wish to extend a warm welcome to all of you. I am particularly pleased that Hong Kong is hosting this well-established and renowned event again.

HOFEX is one of the 300 conventions and exhibitions hosted by Hong Kong every year and you form an important part of the 310 000 convention and exhibition participants each year. Convention and exhibition participants like you are indeed our most valued customers - spending much more than the average visitor and staying longer than the average length of stay. Your visits have not only contributed to the prosperity of the tourism industry, but have also benefited many other sectors of the economy. My colleagues at the Hong Kong Tourism Board and their counterparts at the Trade Development Council will make our best endeavours to make Hong Kong a more convenient and attractive place to hold conventions and exhibitions.

With the onset of the new millennium, the global economy, and indeed all trades and businesses, are facing keener competition and tougher challenges. The key to success is by creating value to our customers and our businesses. Hong Kong will not be complacent for its past achievement. As our economy matures, it is no longer possible to compete on price alone. We should concentrate on the value that we offer by enhancing the quality, variety, sophistication and efficiency of our products and services. I believe this is applicable to all key business and commercial sectors, such as financial services, trade related services and logistics, and others.

In the tourism industry, it is certainly important that we do just that through the development of a greater variety of tourism products and at higher levels of sophistication. For example, the Government is proactively developing new attractions and examining the feasibility of many more new initiatives. For example, the Hong Kong Disneyland, which is due to open in less than five years' time, will position Hong Kong as a world class tourist destination. It will also create the impetus for other related developments to cater for the emerging category of family travelers. Another example is recent invitation for bids for a franchise to construct and operate a cable car system linking Tung Chung, the airport and the Big Buddha on the Lantau Island. To capitalise on the growing interest in eco-tourism, we have started the construction of an international wetland park at Tin Shui Wai, which is due for completion in 2004. We also place a lot of emphasis on the cultural and heritage tourism, such as the various Meet the People sessions and the showcasing of culinary arts in Hong Kong.

It is equally important to enhance the quality of our services. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has successfully launched the Quality Tourism Services Scheme to promote and acknowledge quality service among retailers and restaurants since late 1999 and the drive among front line workers to "Be a Good Host". The Tourism Commission will soon launch a publicity and public education campaign on hospitality culture to further spread the hospitality culture among the local community, in particular starting with our young people. As a quality assurance of travel services provided to visitors, we will shortly introduce a licensing regime to regulate in-bound travel agents.

I am sure you would agree with me that from the industry point of view, the challenge and competition is no smaller. And the need to create value for our customers through the enhancement of quality, variety, sophistication and efficiency is equally relevant to all sub-sectors in the hospitality industry. While our front-line colleagues are working hard on offering ever-improving quality of service to the customers direct, all of you in the hospitality, food and beverage and supporting industries are also contributing to this strive for excellence. Through your offering of new innovation in equipment and supplies, and of more creative and efficient production and servicing systems at the back of the house, the whole tourism industry stands to benefit by being able to better serve the customers at more attractive prices. Forums and exhibitions like HOFEX are particularly useful where food and hospitality experts may keep abreast of the latest trends and development, share your best practices, as well as create synergy and creativity in the provision of services and products. I look forward to your continued and unfailing support to bring our tourism industry to further new height.

Finally, may I wish HOFEX 2001 every success and a most rewarding and enriching experience for all of you. I do hope that you will enjoy your stay in Hong Kong. Please visit us more often and bring your friends and families with you when you next come! Thank you.

End/Tuesday, May 8, 2001

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