HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
19 July 1989
香港立法局————————一九八九年七月十九日
108
of our Japanese visitors recently said that the harbour itself was "worth billions of dollars" as an attraction.
The last thing that any of our 6 million visitors would want to look at is a polluted harbour, while breathing in polluted air and side-stepping litter on the pavement. The levels of pollution, particularly in the harbour, are starting to be noticed by visitors and urgent action is needed.
If we act now on the proposals of the White Paper, we should be able to preserve the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a tourist destination. Last year, over 70% of our visitors enjoyed their stay so much that they said they would definitely return, while another 24% said they would probably come to Hong Kong again.
Hong Kong is for these millions of visitors a tourism "product". Their trip is something they buy, just as they buy other things in life. We, the people of Hong Kong, are the sellers. We are selling the attractiveness, the friendliness and the mainly tax-free shopping of Hong Kong to the entire world.
Our product must be well-presented and not shabbily-packed. Our "shop window" is the exciting and famous scenes of Hong Kong which are recognized around the world.
If we expect to keep attracting "buyers" and increase tourism's contribution to our economy, then we must take good care of our product.
We must ensure that the "shop window" which Hong Kong presents to the world remains more attractive than those of competitive destinations.
Hong Kong has much to protect by embarking on an environmental programme, not least in the tourism sector.
We have the third largest foreign exchange earning to protect. We have more than 200 000 jobs in the tourism industry to protect. And we have our position as the most popular travel destination in Asia to protect.
For these reasons, plus the other tangible economic and social benefits of the White Paper's proposals, Hong Kong's tourism industry fully supports the Government's proposals.
Sir, with these words, I support the motion.