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As the existing arrangements work well and have been successful in reducing the nuisance and obstruction formerly caused by touts, the Civil Aviation Department considers that the present restrictions on access to the Buffer Hall should be retained. Nevertheless in order to improve further services for travel agents and arriving tour groups the Department is planning to construct a new holding area, adjacent the Arrivals frontage, to serve arriving passengers awaiting group transportation to their hotels. Subject to approval of the necessary resources, this facility will be provided with seating, air-conditioning and flight information displays and will be accessible to travel agents meeting their clients from overseas.

As regards facilities to assist travel agents, closed-circuit television cameras will be installed at the exits of the Buffer Hall leading to the Arrivals Hall, on a trial basis, starting in mid-May. In addition, large television monitors will be positioned at various locations within the arrivals area. These new systems will help alleviate the congestion often experienced near the passenger arrival ramps by enabling greeters to identify incoming passengers on the television display units before moving towards the greeting area.

As regards signs, the Civil Aviation Department will consider the possible need for additional or improved signage to direct arriving tourists to the 'Meeting Point' in the Arrivals Hall at Kai Tak, in consultation with representatives of the travel industry. As regards the new airport, the Provisional Airport Authority (PAA) has held regular meetings with representatives of the travel industry in order to ensure that their requirements for the Passenger Terminal Building will be met. By way of example, the Buffer Hall at the new airport will be designed to accommodate group assembly areas and information desks in response to requests from the industry that they be able to collect their clients prior to entry into the Meeters/Greeters Hall. Also, tall signage posts displaying large graphic symbols and clear signage pictograms will be used.

End/Wednesday, January 11, 1995

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