Hong Kong injects $2.3bn into tourism

Hong Kong injects $2.3bn into tourism

THE Hong Kong government is spending $2.3 billion on tourism projects over the next five years in a bid to push the territory to the top of Asia’s holiday hotspots.

Among the proposed developments are a fisherman’s wharf complex with shops and restaurants at Aberdeen Harbour, a second cruise terminal in Kowloon and a US-style Disneyland to be completed by 2005.

Hong Kong Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong explained: “About 5% of Hong Kong’s gross domestic product comes from tourism and 10% of our workforce is directly employed in the industry, so it’s a sector we want to maximise. It’s a sign of the government’s commitment that so much money is being spent.”

In the wake of September 11, Hong Kong’s visitor numbers fell 2.1% on the same period last year, but tourism chiefs are hopeful that a two-year, £21 million trade andconsumer marketing campaign – dubbed ‘City of Life: Hong Kong is it!’ – will tap into unfulfilled markets.

As part of the campaign, the tourist board is backing about 200 events to boost Hong Kong’s profile, including a festival of lights next month and a Chinese New Year parade in February.