Speech by FS at Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong opening ceremony (English only) (with photos/video)

Speech by FS at Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong opening ceremony (English only) (with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the opening ceremony of the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong this evening (May 3):

Director Peng (Qinghua), Commissioner Lu (Xinhua), Thomas (Kwok), Raymond (Kwok), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening.

     I am pleased to join you all in celebrating the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

     This event not only marks the welcome return of a favourite destination to our city, but also the opening of the world's highest hotel. Indeed, the return of the Ritz Carlton hotel offers a unique experience for everyone.

     For one thing, guests and visitors will have a "bird's eye" view of our stunning cityscape as well as of the world's largest permanent light-and-sound show, with a Symphony of Lights taking place every evening at eight o'clock over our spectacular harbour.

     A renowned hotelier told the Financial Times in October last year that "I'm not in the business to sell food and beverage. I'm in the business to give service, and if I give service to people, obviously I will sell rooms and food and beverage." That wise hotelier is with us today.

     Surely, Hong Kong fully embraces the service culture, and that is what attracts visitors to Hong Kong and that's what helps boost our economy.

     Efficient transport, professional, business and financial services; world class information technology and a safe and welcoming environment draw growing numbers of business and leisure travellers to Hong Kong each year.

     Last year, we welcomed a record 36 million visitors, a jump of 22% over 2009.  Our hotel occupancy rate hit 87%. In 2010, overnight visitors spent a total of $25 billion on hotel bills, an impressive increase of 54% over the previous year. As at early April, the total number of visitors had already broken the 10 million mark, and we can look forward to another bumper year of visitors spending in Hong Kong.

     The Government is fully committed to the healthy development of our tourism industry. To help the hotel sector remain competitive during the recent global financial crisis, I removed Hotel Accommodation Tax in my Budget in 2008.

     I also eliminated duties on wine. That has helped to boost food and beverage receipts in Hong Kong and has given rise to new festivals and exhibitions celebrating Hong Kong's wine and dine culture. The very popular annual Wine and Dine Festival will return to the West Kowloon waterfront, not far from here, in November.

     Also not far away is the site for the West Kowloon Cultural District. This will become an integrated arts and cultural district with world-class facilities and world class events. We are also building a new high-speed rail link with the terminal in West Kowloon. The high speed train will be able to cut the trip between Hong Kong and Guangzhou from two hours to 50 minutes. A new cruise terminal is also taking shape at Kai Tak, where the old airport once stood. We can look forward to building up a centre for cruise activities in the region.

     As well as infrastructure developments, we are also building new tourism attractions. One such attraction is the "Sky100", which is right below the hotel upstairs. It provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Hong Kong.

     Our major theme parks are doing their bit too. Ocean Park recently unveiled its amazing "Aqua City"with more attractions coming later this year. And "Toy Story Land" will be coming to Hong Kong Disneyland by the end of this year, followed by Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point by 2013.

     These are just a few of the initiatives that will help keep Hong Kong ahead of the curve as a leading tourism and business travel destination in Asia. I am delighted that the Ritz-Carlton will be part of the Hong Kong experience for our visitors.

     Ladies and gentlemen, it only remains for me to wish the world's highest hotel every success, and I am certain that the ladies and gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton continue serving ladies and gentlemen of the visiting public here in Hong Kong for many years to come.

     Thank you.

Ends/Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:42

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