Tuesday, August 22, 1972
"This being so, we have reached the point where there is a need for
a complete review of Government's policy for civil aviation to be undertaken."
Mr. Thomson described the long-term planning study, if undertaken, as
"a formidable and complex task".
This study would examine, among other things, the feasibilities and
costs of further expanding Hong Kong Airport and of a new airport built elsewhere
in the Colony, he said.
The Director said there was a relationship between Hong Kong's tourist
and civil aviation policies, and posed a number of questions which the study
would examine. He pointed out that of the total number of passengers carried,
some 85 per cent were tourists.
"If we limit tourism, we run the risk of failing to attract a wide-spread
of scheduled air services.
New Airport
"If we continue to attract the tourist to Hong Kong, we shall certainly
need a new airport some time in the mid 1980's to accommodate the vast numbers
of air movements such traffic would generate,"
However, he asked if the cost of a new airport should rival that of
the mass transit system, whether it was in Hong Kong's best interest to invest
such large sums of money in providing facilities and services primarily to
accommodate tourists.
"Is there a point in tourism beyond which it becomes a liability and
embarrassment to Hong Kong; where the very fact of having too many tourists would
have an adverse effect on the quality of life for those living in Hong Kong?"
/Conversely,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.