*************************************************
A survey by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on visitors to Hong Kong's country parks will start tomorrow (November 17) and run until December 30.
An AFCD spokesman said today (November 16) that the survey will collect information about the characteristics of country park visitors as well as their profiles and views on park facilities and services. The survey will include local residents, foreign visitors and Mainland visitors.
"The information collected will provide essential data for the future planning and management of the country parks to better meet the changing needs of our visitors," the spokesman said.
Around 4,000 respondents will be selected at random in 27 country parks and special areas, and they will be invited to complete a questionnaire, which takes about 15 minutes. To cover different visitor categories the survey will be conducted at different times of the day during weekdays, weekends, school holidays and public holidays in November and December.
The spokesman urged visitors to co-operate with the interviewers, who will wear a badge with AFCD's logo for identification during the survey. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.
The results of the survey will be available by the second quarter of 2013.
Members of the public who would like more information about the survey may call 1823 or visit the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_wha/cou_wha.html.
Ends/Friday, November 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:05
NNNN