WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 8. 1989
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TOURIST ASSOCIATION TO MEET CHALLENGES AHEAD
* *
THE
GOVERNMENT SHOULD DULY RECOGNISE THAT THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION. IN PROMOTING ONE OF THE BIGGEST FOREIGN CURRENCY EARNING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG, HAS TO RESPOND TO A FAST-CHANGING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
OUTSET BEEN
"THIS IS EXACTLY WHY THE ASSOCIATION HAS FROM ITS A PUBLIC BODY BUT NOT A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT. SO THAT UNNECESSARY RED-TAPE CAN BE AVOIDED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME NOT LOSING SIGHT OF THE NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY." THE HON MARTIN BARROW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989. MR BARROW, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION. SAID THAT THE TOURIST INDUSTRY WAS A VOLATILE SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THERE WERE MANY CHALLENGES AHEAD.
"THE SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED AND TRAINED PERSONNEL IS ALREADY ERODING OUR SERVICE STANDARDS: THERE IS THE STIFF COMPETITION OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN EAST ASIA. AND THE RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAVE PROMPTED MANY WESTERN VISITORS TO DEFER THEIR TRIPS ΤΟ THE REGION. HE NOTED.
J
MR BARROW CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF ALL THESE FACTORS AND TO FLEXIBILITY APPLY THE PRINCIPLES OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL. WHICH SET OUT TO FORMALISE THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
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