CHAPTER 15
Travel and Tourism
Total visitor numbers have risen by 47 per cent since 1997, an increase largely attributable to the surge in visitor arrivals from the Mainland. These have soared from 2.36 million to 6.83 million, making the Mainland the largest source market. To maintain and further enhance Hong Kong's position as the premier city tourist destination in Asia, the Government endeavours to enhance tourist attractions and facilities, upgrade service standards, promote a hospitable culture in the community and facilitate the entry of visitors. It will continue to work closely with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the trade in promoting tourism development.
TOURISM is one of the major economic pillars of Hong Kong.
Visitor arrivals in 2002 rose to 16.57 million, representing an increase of 20.7 per cent over 2001. This growth was driven by a substantial increase in Mainland visitors as a result of a number of measures to facilitate entry for tour groups and business travellers. The number of Mainland visitors increased spectacularly by 53.4 per cent to 6.83 million. For other major markets, visitors from South and South-East Asia rose by 9.1 per cent; from Europe, Africa and the Middle East by 7.8 per cent; from the Americas by 7 per cent; and from North Asia by 5.1 per cent. Arrivals from Taiwan rose by 0.4 per cent.
Tourism Infrastructure, Facilities and Products
Leisure Tourism
Following the announcement by the Government and The Walt Disney Company in December 1999 of the development of Hong Kong Disneyland at Penny's Bay on Lantau Island, work on various fronts has commenced and is progressing on schedule. Reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase 1, which commenced in May 2000, was completed in December. Two major infrastructure contracts to support the development of Hong Kong Disneyland started in October 2001 and August 2002, respectively, and are expected to be completed in 2005. Construction of the Penny's Bay Rail Link by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) also commenced in July. This 3.5-kilometre rail link will run from a new station at Yam O on the existing MTR Tung Chung Line to Hong Kong Disneyland. With the completion of the reclamation for Phase 1 of the park in December, the joint venture company between the
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