HKTB Welcomes the Measures Supporting Tourism in 2024 Policy Address

Post Date:	16 Oct 2024
Details:	Dr Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), welcomed the government’s proposal of various measures to promote tourism development in the 2024 Policy Address. He affirmed that the HKTB will fully support the relevant measures, including nurturing and developing tourism products and initiatives with local and international characteristics, and developing a diversified portfolio of visitor source markets, to further elevate Hong Kong’s tourism competitiveness. Dr Pang believed that the Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots, led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, announced in the Policy Address, will strengthen crossdepartmental co-ordination and leverage community efforts to identify and develop Hong Kong’s rich tourist hotspots and instill the concept of “tourism being everywhere in Hong Kong”. Dr Pang also emphasised that, the HKTB will also actively support the work of the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, which is to be announced by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau this year, with the focus on promoting culture, sports, ecology and mega events. In particular, the HKTB will step up efforts in developing and promoting tourism products with Hong Kong characteristics to both locals and visitors. In addition, the HKTB will draw up a gourmet guide covering the 18 districts; the reduction of the duty rate for liquor will also enrich Hong Kong’s gastronomic offerings, boosting tourism and high-end food and beverage consumption, with a view to upholding Hong Kong as a City of Gastronomy. A new outstanding services award scheme will also be launched to promote hospitable culture and enhance visitors’ experience in town. Dr Pang continued, “The Policy Address puts forward various measures in developing a diversified portfolio of visitor source markets. Targeting the Middle Eastern and ASEAN markets, the HKTB promotes Hong Kong as a Muslim-friendly destination, and constantly encourages and helps restaurants, hotels and attractions to be equipped with Muslim-friendly facilities. We have also stepped up marketing efforts in the Middle East and ASEAN countries to open up new visitor sources.” Dr Pang also welcomed the government’s proposal to the Central Government on resuming the “multiple-entry” Individual Visit Endorsement for Shenzhen residents and expanding the coverage of pilot cities for implementing policies on the “one trip per week” Individual Visit Endorsements. He also stated that the immediate implementation of the relaxation of criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar applying for multiple-entry visas for travel and business, and the extension of the validity period of multiple-entry visas for these countries will enhance convenience for travellers visiting Hong Kong, further boosting the city’s tourism competitiveness. In addition, the HKTB will continue to support the Mega Events Coordination Group led by Deputy Financial Secretary, with HKTB acting as the “first point of contacts” for event organisers. The HKTB will support the government’s efforts to develop Kai Tak Sports Park into a Mega Events landmark and boost tourism and mega events economy. Additionally, stepping up worldwide promotion, the HKTB will help brand the West Kowloon Cultural District as a must-visit landmark for cultural and creative tourism. The HKTB will collaborate with government departments, organisations and the trade to strengthen Hong Kong’s tourism appeal, promote tourism experiences with local characteristics, encourage the industry to develop more innovative tourism products, and strive to expand tourism’s contribution to the economy.

Post Date:

16 Oct 2024

Details:

Dr Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), welcomed the government’s proposal of various measures to promote tourism development in the 2024 Policy Address. He affirmed that the HKTB will fully support the relevant measures, including nurturing and developing tourism products and initiatives with local and international characteristics, and developing a diversified portfolio of visitor source markets, to further elevate Hong Kong’s tourism competitiveness.

Dr Pang believed that the Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots, led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, announced in the Policy Address, will strengthen crossdepartmental co-ordination and leverage community efforts to identify and develop Hong Kong’s rich tourist hotspots and instill the concept of “tourism being everywhere in Hong Kong”. Dr Pang also emphasised that, the HKTB will also actively support the work of the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, which is to be announced by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau this year, with the focus on promoting culture, sports, ecology and mega events. In particular, the HKTB will step up efforts in developing and promoting tourism products with Hong Kong characteristics to both locals and visitors. In addition, the HKTB will draw up a gourmet guide covering the 18 districts; the reduction of the duty rate for liquor will also enrich Hong Kong’s gastronomic offerings, boosting tourism and high-end food and beverage consumption, with a view to upholding Hong Kong as a City of Gastronomy. A new outstanding services award scheme will also be launched to promote hospitable culture and enhance visitors’ experience in town.

Dr Pang continued, “The Policy Address puts forward various measures in developing a diversified portfolio of visitor source markets. Targeting the Middle Eastern and ASEAN markets, the HKTB promotes Hong Kong as a Muslim-friendly destination, and constantly encourages and helps restaurants, hotels and attractions to be equipped with Muslim-friendly facilities. We have also stepped up marketing efforts in the Middle East and ASEAN countries to open up new visitor sources.” Dr Pang also welcomed the government’s proposal to the Central Government on resuming the “multiple-entry” Individual Visit Endorsement for Shenzhen residents and expanding the coverage of pilot cities for implementing policies on the “one trip per week” Individual Visit Endorsements. He also stated that the immediate implementation of the relaxation of criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar applying for multiple-entry visas for travel and business, and the extension of the validity period of multiple-entry visas for these countries will enhance convenience for travellers visiting Hong Kong, further boosting the city’s tourism competitiveness.

In addition, the HKTB will continue to support the Mega Events Coordination Group led by Deputy Financial Secretary, with HKTB acting as the “first point of contacts” for event organisers. The HKTB will support the government’s efforts to develop Kai Tak Sports Park into a Mega Events landmark and boost tourism and mega events economy. Additionally, stepping up worldwide promotion, the HKTB will help brand the West Kowloon Cultural District as a must-visit landmark for cultural and creative tourism.

The HKTB will collaborate with government departments, organisations and the trade to strengthen Hong Kong’s tourism appeal, promote tourism experiences with local characteristics, encourage the industry to develop more innovative tourism products, and strive to expand tourism’s contribution to the economy.