IMMIGRATION AND TOURISM
169
a large volume of mail and this is dealt with in conjunction with the Tourist Association.
The rapid increase in the number of hotels in the Colony has brought about a demand for trained staff and personnel. A training school for hotel staff was set up in 1963 by the Hong Kong Hotels Association assisted by the Government and the International Rescue Committee, which contributes the necessary funds. It con- tinues to do good work supplying new staff to the increasing number of hotels. The Hong Kong Tourist Association conducts oral and written examinations for guides and those who qualify are entitled to a badge and identity card.
In order to fulfil its role in the realm of international travel and tourism, Hong Kong is a member of the international Union of Official Travel Organizations, the Pacific Area Travel Association, the British Travel and Holidays Association, and the American Society of Travel Agents.
IUOTO, with headquarters in Geneva, is officially recognized by the United Nations. The Pacific Area Travel Association was founded to promote travel to and within the area of the Pacific and south-east Asia and its work and influence is expanding rapidly each year. The Association's 1962 annual conference was held in Hong Kong.
The American Society of Travel Agents, ASTA, is the world's largest organization of its kind. Travel agents from America and many other countries make up its membership of over 3,000 and its annual conference, because lof its international nature, is aptly called World Travel Congress. Many countries are anxious to play host to this powerful and influential body whose annual conferences are held alternately in the United States and abroad. Hong Kong made a bid three years ago, and it is a measure of growing popularity as a tourist resort that ASTA decided, early in 1964, to hold its 1965 meeting, the 35th ASTA World Travel Congress, here from 19th to 25th September.