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per cent discount on accommodation and function space rental, depending on the time of the year.
In June 1998, the HKTA hosted the Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaux Annual Convention. Some 60 leaders of such bodies in the region experienced Hong Kong's many advantages as an international meeting destination, and exchanged ideas on the development of the global meetings industry.
The association is also exploiting opportunities to further
further develop the exhibition market in Hong Kong and attended the International Association for Exposition Management Annual Meeting & EXPO!EXPO! in Nashville, USA, in December 1998.
The association also organised delegations to international trade shows, including the European Incentive and Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition in Geneva, the Incentive Travel and Meetings Executive Show in Chicago and the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne. Participation by members of the Hong Kong travel industry in such events continues to grow.
The HKTA offered assistance to individuals and groups with on-site inspections and educational visits. Among the most important of these were the Hong Kong Meeting Your Choice event in March 1998, which was attended by 80 association executives from world-wide professional bodies, and the Incentive Travel Workshop in April 1998, which attracted more than 120 major incentive travel agents from around the world. Similar workshops targeted at Taiwan and Mainland China agents were also run in April, while workshops specifically for the Japan market were organised in September and December. Special programmes and itineraries were developed for these participants, enabling them to experience the advantages of Hong Kong as a top incentive travel destination.
The HKTA has also developed a special Convention/Meeting Planners Guide, along with a CD-ROM, to assist incentive and corporate meetings organiser to plan their Hong Kong programmes effectively. This information is also available on the association's website.
In 1998, the HKTA continued to make good use of its Convention Ambassador Programme, which was launched in 1994. Some 800 top business leaders, professionals and academics from a wide variety of fields have joined the programme and are committed to developing Hong Kong's status as a venue for international meetings, conventions and incentive events. They work closely with the HKTA to spread the Hong Kong message among their overseas counterparts and business associates.
Local Activities
Besides promoting Hong Kong overseas, the HKTA also organises local events throughout the year to further enhance awareness among Hong Kong residents of the importance of the tourism industry to Hong Kong.
In 1998, the association launched its community-wide Be A Good Host Campaign, which aimed at encouraging people to learn more about and, therefore, take more pride in their home. A complementary aspect of the campaign was its call for Hong Kong people to extend a courteous welcome to visitors and help them feel at home. Well-known Hong Kong stars, including Leon Lai, Cass Phang, Lydia Shum,