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The Government today (January 27) announced appointments to the Advisory Committee on Cruise Industry (ACCI) for a period of one year with effect from January 28, 2008, as follows –
Mr Massimo Brancaleoni
Vice-President, Pacific Asia Operations, Costa Crociere S.p.A.
Ms Anthea Cheung
Marketing Director, Hotel Reservation & Ticketing Centre
China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited
Mr David Chua
President, Star Cruises
Mr Ronnie Ho
Chairman, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong
Mr Joseph Lam
International Representative for Hong Kong
Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises
Mr Anthony Lau (or his representative)
Executive Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board
Ms Susanna Lau
General Manager, Hong Thai Travel Services Ltd.
Mr Andrew Leung
Managing Director, Swire Travel Ltd.
Ms Lanny Leung
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Wing On Travel Service Ltd.
Mr Kevin Schellack
Managing Director, MSC Cruises Asia Company Limited
Mr Richard Willis
Chairman, Kuoni Travel (China) Limited
Ms Linda Yuen
Executive Director, Sightseers (HK) Limited
The ACCI will be chaired by the Commissioner for Tourism.
A Commerce and Economic Development Bureau spokesman said the Government was committed to developing Hong Kong into a leading regional cruise hub. "While developing a new cruise terminal at Kai Tak through an open tender, we attach equal importance to the development of software facilities for the cruise market. ACCI, with its membership from key players in the cruise market and travel industry, will advise the Government on measures enhancing the development of Hong Kong into a leading cruise hub in the region for local, regional and international visitors," he said.
As a priority, ACCI will focus on fostering co-operation with neighbouring coastal provinces on the Mainland for cruise itinerary development; promoting cruise tourism in Hong Kong and the region; preparing for interim berthing arrangements from now to 2012; and ensuring the supply of talent to meet the longer term needs of Hong Kong's cruise market. Working Groups will be set up under the ACCI to focus on these priority issues. Members of the industry, such as shipping agents and travel agents as well as relevant government departments will be invited to join the working groups as appropriate.
"With their experience and expertise in the cruise market and tourism industry, the ACCI members will offer invaluable advice to the Government on how to enhance the software facilities for the cruise market, in view of the growth of the Asia-Pacific market and the development of a world-class cruise terminal at Kai Tak. We look forward to their advice on measures to further develop Hong Kong into a must-see cruise destination, and to attract more cruise vessels home-porting in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
Ends/Sunday, January 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:01
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