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Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner of HK Association of Travel Agents at HK Scout Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui this evening (November 13):
Mrs Agonoy (Chairman of HATA), Mr Wu (Chairman of the Organizing Committee), Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
I am delighted to join you to celebrate your 50th Anniversary. HATA is one of the oldest and best respected travel agent associations in Hong Kong. The past 50 years have seen this city transformed from a small entrepot into a World City in Asia, and HATA has kept pace every step of the way. Today, Hong Kong is a premiere global tourist destination. I am grateful to you all for your contribution to this achievement. These are golden times for your golden jubilee!
The success of our tourism industry is particularly remarkable when you think of the unforeseen setbacks we have endured during the past decade. The SARS epidemic, outbreaks of avian influenza and the Asian financial crisis were difficult times for us all. I am pleased to say Hong Kong has lost none of its magic and the tourism sector stands stronger than ever as one of the pillars of our economy. This year looks like another record breaker for tourist numbers. Our resilience is a fitting tribute to mark your 50th Anniversary, as well as the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR.
The unique "One Country, Two Systems" concept for our reunification is working well. Hong Kong has retained its uniqueness that sets the city apart from other cities. Just last month, Hong Kong was rated the "Favourite Overseas City" at the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards ceremony in Spain.
Closer to home, the Individual Visit Scheme for Mainland tourists continues to be a resounding success. Since its introduction in 2003, the scheme has expanded to cover 49 Mainland cities. The number of Mainland visitors last year was more than double the number in 2003. For the first nine months of this year Mainland arrivals were 10% up compared to the same period last year.
Our unique free trade pact with the Mainland, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, is also opening up new opportunities in the Mainland for our tourism professionals. Under the liberalisation measures for the sector, two Hong Kong travel agents will soon start operating in Guangdong, offering tours for Guangdong residents. Next year, eight more Mainland provinces in the Pan Pearl River Delta region, – Fujian, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hainan and Sichuan – will also open up to Hong Kong travel agents.
Outbound travel is another growth area, thanks to the strong local economy. Turnover for outbound tours this year is estimated to reach a new record of HK$10 billion. These are impressive figures, this is no time to let down our guard and become complacent.
We face intense competition from neighbouring destinations that target similar markets and are promoting aggressively. Hong Kong has always thrived on challenges. This is a good opportunity for us to take a long hard look at areas where we can improve and advantages that can be built upon. I assure you the Government is fully committed to enhancing the business environment and exploring new opportunities for our travel agents.
Take the MICE sector for example. As many of you may know, I am leading a cross-sector Steering Committee on MICE industries to review and formulate development strategies for the sector. We had a useful first meeting last month during which we identified the following four key areas:
* to strengthen our promotion efforts to attract more large-scale international conventions and exhibitions to Hong Kong;
* to reinvigorate the Hong Kong brand and fortify our position as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital;
* to ensure a continuous supply of world-class professionals to support the rapid development of relevant industries; and
* to enhance the development of hardware, infrastructure, convention, exhibition and hotel facilities.
We will work closely with the trade on the best ways to move forward in these areas. I believe Hong Kong has the necessary expertise, know-how and facilities to stay ahead of the competition in this sector.
Hong Kong rarely stands still. We are expanding the exhibition area at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. There will be an additional 19,400 square metres of space when the atrium link extension is completed in 2009. And the phase II expansion of the Asia World-Expo that is being considered now will increase the exhibition area at the AWE to 100,000 square metres.
Another exciting development area is the cruise industry. Just last week we issued an open tender for the new cruise terminal at Kai Tak. We expect to award the tender in the second quarter of next year, with February 2012 as the target opening date for the first berth. When completed, it will be a world-class terminal capable of handling the biggest cruise ships. We are ready engaging the trade in developing cruise itineraries.
Other projects in the pipeline include the Ocean Park project and a number of other district enhancement schemes that will make our city more appealing to visitors while, at the same time, preserving local characteristics.
I can't leave tonight without mentioning Disneyland. As the major shareholder of the Park, the Government attaches great importance to its performance. We have urged the Park to enhance its operational efficiency and improve its marketing strategies. We believe there is a need for the Park to continue to introduce more attractions to boost attendance levels. The Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board have been working closely with the Park in sharing experience and exchanging market information, in particular on the Mainland market. The travel industry's feedback will no doubt be very useful in further improving the Park's performance.
One of our biggest draw cards for tourists, especially those from the Mainland, is quality assurance. Hong Kong has a hard-earned reputation for honesty, quality and efficiency whether it is for shopping, dining out or visiting places of interest.
HATA has made a significant contribution to improving our tourism services over the years. The Government, the Tourism Board, the Travel Industry Council and the Consumer Council will continue to join hands with you to eradicate malpractice and protect our image. We will also look at ways to enhance consumer protection through improvements to the relevant laws.
Our tourism professionals have worked hard to get our tourist industry where it is today. We are on course to meet our forecast of a record 26.4 million visitors this year. Much of the credit goes to you, the travel agents who sell our city as a travel destination to the rest of the world.
HATA's success in the past five decades is part of Hong Kong's success story. I congratulate you on your 50th Anniversary and wish you many more successful years to come.
Thank you.
Ends/Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:22
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