19
Travel and Tourism
Southeast Asian Lions Forum, 38th Asia Pacific Dental Congress 2016, 2016 International Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Congress of Psychiatry and 9th International Council of Nurses (ICN) International Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing Network Conference 2016. Major events coming up next year include the 25th Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2017, CardioRhythm 2017, Rhinology World Congress - Hong Kong 2017, 23rd International Conference on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Critical Communications World 2017, 2017 World Recycling Convention & Exhibition, 13th World Harp Congress, Cloud Expo Asia 2017, 15th Urological Association of Asia Congress 2017, 46th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering and 15th Intelligent Transport System Asia Pacific Forum and Exhibition.
Cruise Tourism
The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal can accommodate two mega cruise ships with a gross tonnage of up to 220,000 tons each. In 2016, the terminal handled 95 ship calls involving 105 calendar days. Total passenger throughput exceeded 420,000. The number of ship calls is expected to continue increasing in the coming years.
The board will continue to promote regional cooperation of the cruise industry through the Asia Cruise Cooperation launched in March 2016 to leverage the synergy among the partnering ports via an incentive scheme named Asia Cruise Fund, joint promotion events and participation in large-scale industry events, so as to drive ship deployment to Hong Kong and foster the city's position as a regional cruise hub.
Mega Events
Hong Kong recognises large-scale events enrich visitors' travel experience and add colour and vibrancy to the city. The government's Mega Events Fund has supported 30 events since being established in 2009 to encourage the staging of such events. In April 2012, the Legislative Council's Finance Committee approved $150 million to extend the fund's operation for a further five years to attract more mega events. The government will review the way forward for the fund in 2016-17.
Mega events organised by the board in 2016 included the International Chinese New Year Parade, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival, Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show, Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, Hong Kong WinterFest and New Year countdown celebrations.
Green Tourism
The board's Great Outdoors Hong Kong campaign promotes the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China, the natural scenery of outlying islands, hiking trails, cycling routes and other green attractions. These attractions are showcased via the board's website, guidebooks, mobile applications, social media platforms, visitor centres and a hotline.
Tourism Infrastructure, Facilities and Products
Hong Kong has something for everyone - the sightseer, the food lover, the shopper, the family, the businessman, the leisure traveller, the young and the old. Topping the popularity list of
297