HK embarks on massive tourist campaign<\/p>\n
Akmal Syams, The Jakarta Post, Hong Kong<\/p>\n
Cosmopolitan Hong Kong has embarked on a massive tourist
\ncampaign in an effort to maintain its position as the main
\ntourist destination in Asia in the years to come.<\/p>\n
While many cities or countries in Asia are struggling hard to
\novercome the economic crisis, Hong Kong continues to enjoy robust
\ngrowth, even after its return to China from Britain in July 1997.<\/p>\n
The year 2001 was a milestone for the Hong Kong tourist
\nindustry as visitor arrivals grew 5 percent to reach a new record
\nof 13,725,332 million.<\/p>\n
This represents a 5.1 percent growth from the previous year, a
\nperformance that would seem unthinkable after the Sept. 11
\nterrorist attacks in the U.S. It also places Hong Kong well ahead
\nof the World Tourism Organization's revised forecast of 1 percent
\nto 1.5 percent global tourism growth in 2001.<\/p>\n
Arrivals from Mainland China maintained their recent buoyancy,
\nincreasing a further 29.1 percent. Most encouraging of all,
\narrivals from South and Southeast Asia returned to positive
\ngrowth, rising 7.4 percent.<\/p>\n
In total, December arrivals grew 6.4 percent to reach
\n1,305,185 -- the highest number of visitors Hong Kong has ever
\nreceived in a single month.<\/p>\n
Figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) show
\nthat a record 4,448,583 visitors came to Hong Kong from Mainland
\nChina in 2001 -- an increase of 17.5 percent, or some 662,000
\nvisitors, over the previous year. A record 457,000 Mainland
\nvisitors came in December alone, when the CLP Lights Up Hong Kong
\nprogram proved a popular attraction.<\/p>\n
Although HKTB has not yet made any detailed forecasts for
\n2002, executive director Clara Chong said she was \"cautiously
\noptimistic\" that the recovery would continue. \"We saw the full
\nimpact of the terrorist attacks in our October figures but since
\nthen, all markets have been showing a steady comeback,\" she
\nnoted.<\/p>\n
\"We can feel encouraged that Hong Kong has done better than
\nany other leading destination in returning positive growth,\" Ms.
\nChong said.<\/p>\n
\"But at the same time we have to recognize that the year ahead
\nis going to remain very difficult. Many of our key source markets
\nare still in the throes of economic depression, while competition
\nfor the tourist dollar is going to become even fiercer in 2002,\"
\nshe added.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Hong Kong's strategic location as the major
\nregional transport hub and gateway to Mainland China places it in
\na strong position to build on the growth of 2001 this year, she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"China's accession to the World Trade Organization and the
\naward of the 2008 Olympics to Beijing will make it more
\ninteresting than ever to visit, or do business with China,\" she
\nexplained. \"Hong Kong will certainly benefit from this.\"<\/p>\n
The relaxation of visa restrictions on Mainland visitors to
\nHong Kong and the sharp increase in the number of licensed tour
\nagents should also continue to boost arrivals from this crucial
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
She asserted that she was confident that Hong Kong will be
\nable to maintain its position as Asia's most popular single
\ndestination in 2002.<\/p>\n
Among major events that HKTB has launched and will carry out
\nare Hong Kong Lights Up (December 2001 to February 2002), the
\nInternational Chinese New Year Parade (February 2002), the just
\nconcluded Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza (March 4 through 17),
\nMega Hong Kong Sale (Summer 2002) and the City of Life Street
\nCarnival (early 2003).<\/p>\n
HKTB has established an international marketing platform that
\npositions The City of Life as the most favored travel destination
\nin Asia. Through its aggressive promotions around the world, the
\nTourism Board has generated record numbers of visitors whose
\nspending makes tourism one of the biggest contributors to the
\nHong Kong economy.<\/p>\n
Realizing that the community has been able to appreciate the
\nimportance of tourism, HKTB launched a campaign that gives the
\npeople of Hong Kong a bigger opportunity to become more involved
\nin its promotion -- City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign.<\/p>\n
Cliff Yap, a Bandung-born Hong Kong resident now working as a
\nprofessional guide for Indonesian speaking tourists, told The
\nJakarta Post recently that the project involved the resources of
\nthe public, private and tourism sectors to exploit the rich
\nvariety of attractions on offer throughout the territory.<\/p>\n
With the support of the HK Jockey Club Charities Trust, and in
\ncooperation with the government's Home Affairs Department,
\nLeisure and Cultural Services Department, Tourism Commission and
\nthe 18 District Councils, \"HKTB packages these assets as well as
\ncoordinates and organizes events and activities that can be
\nexperienced by both overseas visitors and local community,\" Clif
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
By broadening the appeal of Hong Kong to all its 18 districts,
\nHKTB enhances the territory's image as a travel destination,
\nraises the competitiveness of the tourist industry, attracts more
\nvisitors and boosts the economy. At the same time, the campaign
\neducates local people about the lesser known aspects of Hong
\nKong, encourages domestic tourism, instills a hospitality culture
\nand promotes Hong Kong's Be a Good Host image.<\/p>\n
Under the program that lasts from September 2001 to February
\n2003, visitors are invited to explore each of the 18 districts,
\nboasting unique and exciting attractions, from giant statues in
\nancient temples to fascinating museums and markets.<\/p>\n
Hong Kong also offers an occasion to cruise. There are a
\nvariety of exotic and colorful cruising destinations, all within
\none-and-a-half to five days sailing time, HK is a natural hub for
\ncruising operations in Asia. To the northeast lies the coastal
\ncities of Mainland China, the timeless Yangtze River, Taiwan,
\nJapan and Korea, while to the south and west are the untapped
\nattractions of China's tropical paradise of Hainan, and the
\nexotic cultures of Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines
\nand Indonesia.<\/p>\n
SuperStar Leo, one of eight cruise vessels belonging to the
\nMalaysia-based Star Cruise, offers an exciting addition to Hong
\nKong's cruising options. The vessel has 980 cabins with a total
\npassenger capacity of 1,960 and 1,100 crew capacity on 13 decks
\ncomplete with food and entertainment. SuperStar Leo is a floating
\nresort, a moving hotel and a summer camp at sea.<\/p>\n
SuperStar Leo offers a four-day cruise to the ancient city of
\nZhanjiang, China and Halong Bay, a Vietnamese coastal town that
\nhas been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It also
\nprovides a three-day cruise to Haikou on Hainan island, off
\nZhanjiang.<\/p>\n
In its campaign to attract more tourists to the \"Gate of
\nChina\", HKTB has forged cooperation with Hong Kong flag carrier
\nCathay Pacific airways and Star Cruise.<\/p>\n
Travel agents, under the program, offer packages that include
\nthe services of Cathay Pacific and Star Cruise.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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