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TRAVEL AND TOURISM
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TOURISM, one of Hong Kong's largest service industries, continued to set records during the year under review. In addition, regulation of the outbound travel industry was strengthened.
Tourism
Tourism is the territory's second largest earner of foreign exchange.
A record 7.2 million international visitors (excluding travellers from China) came to - Hong Kong in 1993, an increase of five per cent from the previous year. The Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) started to include visitors from China in visitor arrival statistics in April. Visitor arrivals from China (foreign residents and China nationals) grew by 50.8 per cent in 1993 to 1.7 million. Total visitor arrivals were, therefore, 8.9 million
an increase of 11.6 per cent.
Tourism earnings (excluding spending by visitors from China) registered an increase of 10 per cent, setting another record at $53.2 billion.
Hong Kong remained Asia's most popular travel destination. Aside from China, the biggest influx of visitors in recent years has been from neighbouring areas in the Asian region, notably Taiwan, which accounted for 19.9 per cent of total arrivals in 1993. Other major markets were West Europe (11.7 per cent), North America (10.6 per cent), and Australia and New Zealand (3.5 per cent).
To cater for the accommodation needs of the continuing increase in visitors to Hong Kong, four new hotels opened in 1993, bringing the total number of rooms available in the territory to 34 000.
Hong Kong Tourist Association
The HKTA was established by the Hong Kong Government in 1957 to develop the territory's tourism industry. The association works to increase the number of visitors to Hong Kong; promotes the improvement of visitor facilities; secures overseas publicity for the territory's attractions; co-ordinates the activities of the tourism industry; and advises the government on industry-related matters.
The chairman and members of the board of management of the HKTA are appointed by the Governor. The association receives an annual subvention from the government. It also derives funds from membership dues; the sale of publications and souvenirs; and from its own commercial tours.