CHAPTER 17
Travel and Tourism
TOURISM plays an important role in the economy of Hong Kong. In 2000, it generated receipts of around $61 billion, and is closely related to other important economic activities such as air services, hotels and retailing, as well as international business and trade conferences and exhibitions.
Visitor arrivals, at 13.06 million, rebounded strongly in 2000 and surpassed the peak achieved in 1996. This represented an increase of 15.3 per cent over the same period in 1999. Hotel occupancy reached 83 per cent compared with 79 per cent in 1999.
The Mainland remained the largest source market, with arrivals reaching 3.79 million, up 18.1 per cent on 1999, and accounting for 29 per cent of total arrivals. Taiwan again came second, with arrivals of 2.39 million, up 15.6 per cent, and accounting for 18.3 per cent of total arrivals. Visitors from South and South-East Asia totalled 1.75 million, up 15.6 per cent.
The North Asian market, among others, saw a comparatively stronger growth. It produced 1.76 million visitors, up 19.8 per cent. Among the other regions, visitor arrivals from the Americas rose 12.2 per cent to 1.30 million; Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific recorded a growth of 15.2 per cent. Those from Europe, Africa and the Middle East increased by 6.4 per cent.
Vision and Strategy
Just over a year after its establishment, the Tourism Commission published in June a 'Vision and Strategy Statement', providing a blueprint for tourism development in the coming years. The statement also contained an Action Programme involving more than 50 short-term and long-term initiatives. The Action Programme will be reviewed and updated regularly in response to changing circumstances.
Tourism Infrastructure, Facilities and Products
Leisure Tourism
In 2000, the Government awarded a number of engineering and consultancy contracts in relation to the construction of the necessary infrastructure for supporting Hong Kong Disneyland, a major project announced in 1999.
Hong Kong Disneyland will be located at Penny's Bay on Lantau Island. Upon opening, which is scheduled for 2005, it will comprise a Disney theme park, a 1 400- room resort hotel complex and a retail, dining and entertainment centre. Hong Kong Disneyland will enrich the quality of life for local residents through its wide range of
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