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would definitely benefit the economy of Hong Kong. As a survey of the HKTA indicates, no less than 15% of the visitors were interested in taking part in cultural, sport and entertainment activities during their stay in Hong Kong. Based on the 10m or so visitors to Hong Kong last year, the number of visitors interested in these activities will be in the order of 1m. Their potential power of spending should not be overlooked either.
Moreover, to facilitate overseas visitors' participation in local cultural and recreational activities would help boost Hong Kong's image as an international city. Recently the HKTA prepared a paper for the Council and as Mr. PAO has pointed out, it brought up the concept of joint promotion of large-scaled cultural, sport and entertainment events in Hong Kong. This direction is undoubtedly worth consideration, but we have some views on its recommendations.
The first recommendation is that international programmes solely or jointly sponsored by the Provisional Urban Council should be highlighted for promotion overseas.
The second recommendation is that the HKTA should be given priority booking for venues such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Hong Kong Coliseum for non-Council activities.
The third recommendation is that the ticketing systems should be improved to enable overseas visitors to book and pay for their tickets in advance.
The Democratic Party considers that since the first and third recommendations involve only technical arrangements, they are acceptable. As for the second recommendation mentioned in the letter, we consider that there is a need for further examination, because such an arrangement would obviously entail changes in the Council's established principles governing the hire and use of its venues. If the HKTA was given preferential treatment, some organizations might be able to secure prime slots for their activities while those which fail to do so might be forced to give up their plans for any activity. The HKTA's recommendation should therefore be used as reference only and warrants further study.
In summing up, the Democratic Party considers that there are valid points in both motions and supports both of them. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Jennifer Chow KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I wish first of all to describe the feeling I had when I received the motion. The feeling was mixed and I had a hard time in making up my mind because the motion itself is ambiguous and putting the cart before the horse. The motion proposes that the Council examine the relationship between its functions in providing major cultural, sport and entertainment facilities and activities and the development of the local tourist industry. However, no mention is made of any concrete measures to achieve the objective and the desired effect. Neither is it pointed
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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
631
would definitely benefit the economy of Hong Kong. As a survey of the HKTA indicates, no less than 15% of the visitors were interested in taking part in cultural, sport and entertainment activities during their stay in Hong Kong. Based on the 10m or so visitors to Hong Kong last year, the number of visitors interested in these activities will be in the order of 1m. Their potential power of spending should not be overlooked either.
Moreover, to facilitate overseas visitors' participation in local cultural and recreational activities would help boost Hong Kong's image as an international city. Recently the HKTA prepared a paper for the Council and as Mr. PAO has pointed out, it brought up the concept of joint promotion of large-scaled cultural, sport and entertainment events in Hong Kong. This direction is undoubtedly worth consideration, but we have some views on its recommendations.
The first recommendation is that international programmes solely or jointly sponsored by the Provisional Urban Council should be highlighted for promotion overseas.
The second recommendation is that the HKTA should be given priority booking for venues such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Hong Kong Coliseum for non-Council activities.
The third recommendation is that the ticketing systems should be improved to enable overseas visitors to book and pay for their tickets in advance.
The Democratic Party considers that since the first and third recommendations involve only technical arrangements, they are acceptable. As for the second recommendation mentioned in the letter, we consider that there is a need for further examination, because such an arrangement would obviously entail changes in the Council's established principles governing the hire and use of its venues. If the HKTA was given preferential treatment, some organizations might be able to secure prime slots for their activities while those which fail to do so might be forced to give up their plans for any activity. The HKTA's recommendation should therefore be used as reference only and warrants further study.
In summing up, the Democratic Party considers that there are valid points in both motions and supports both of them. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Jennifer Chow KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I wish first of all to describe the feeling I had when I received the motion. The feeling was mixed and I had a hard time in making up my mind because the motion itself is ambiguous and putting the cart before the horse. The motion proposes that the Council examine the relationship between its functions in providing major cultural, sport and entertainment facilities and activities and the development of the local tourist industry. However, no mention is made of any concrete measures to achieve the objective and the desired effect. Neither is it pointed
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