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should as soon as possible work out a comprehensive plan for the tourist industry of Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I object to the original motion.
MR. HENRY WU KING-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would first of all declare my interests as a member of the Board of Management of the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA).
Mr. PAO Ping-wing mentioned just now that every Member received a paper from the HKTA. My speech will focus on this.
At a time when the tourist industry and overall economy of Hong Kong are affected by the Asian financial turmoil, Ms. Ada Wong and Mr. Pao Ping-wing have respectively moved a motion and an amended one on the way to help promote local tourism and improve the effectiveness of economy and society. I think the motions are very timely.
The HKTA is a statutory body appointed by the Government to promote and develop the tourist industry. It is committed to developing the industry to bring economic benefit to Hong Kong. In 1995 a study was carried out and a 5-year long-term development strategy was developed for some infrastructural projects, facilities, sightseeing spots, services and international events. In particular, as far as international events are concerned, the HKTA devised last year a 5-year events promotion plan called 'Spotlight Hong Kong-Towards the Millennium' Programme, which apart from attracting more organizers of international events to choose Hong Kong as the venue, will encourage local bodies and organizations to stage major cultural, sport and entertainment activities in Hong Kong in the coming five years. Large-scaled international events will not only attract more visitors, thereby bringing economic benefit to Hong Kong, but also upgrade the international status of Hong Kong, so that she will continue to be the 'Events Capital of Asia'.
In the Policy Address delivered last year, the Chief Executive mentioned that a loan of $100m would be made to the HKTA to start up an International Events Fund, designed to bring together private sector partnerships to stage 50 major international events in Hong Kong over the next five years. I wish to stress that five years is a rather short period of time, but within this short span, the loan will be made use of to bring economic benefit to Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, large-scaled international activities in Hong Kong would not only be conducive to the promotion of the tourist industry but also benefit Hong Kong and the people. As a Member mentioned just now, whenever an international event is held, more than 80% of the participants are Hong Kong residents. The residents of Hong Kong are allowed to participate directly in each and every event and activity. I must stress that for years a float parade is held by the HKTA on the first day of the Chinese New Year, which has
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should as soon as possible work out a comprehensive plan for the tourist industry of Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I object to the original motion.
MR. HENRY WU KING-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would first of all declare my interests as a member of the Board of Management of the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA).
Mr. PAO Ping-wing mentioned just now that every Member received a paper from the HKTA. My speech will focus on this.
At a time when the tourist industry and overall economy of Hong Kong are affected by the Asian financial turmoil, Ms. Ada Wong and Mr. Pao Ping- wing have respectively moved a motion and an amended one on the way to help promote local tourism and improve the effectiveness of economy and society. I think the motions are very timely.
The HKTA is a statutory body appointed by the Government to promote and develop the tourist industry. It is committed to developing the industry to bring economic benefit to Hong Kong. In 1995 a study was carried out and a 5-year long-term development strategy was developed for some infrastructural projects, facilities, sightseeing spots, services and international events. In particular. as far as international events are concerned, the HKTA devised last year a 5-year events promotion plan called 'Spotlight Hong Kong-Towards the Millennium' Programme, which apart from attracting more organizers of international events to choose Hong Kong as the venue, will encourage local bodies and organizations to stage major cultural, sport and entertainment activities in Hong Kong in the coming five years. Large-scaled international events will not only attract more visitors, thereby bringing economic benefit to Hong Kong, but also upgrade the international status of Hong Kong, so that she will continue to be the 'Events Capital of Asia'.
In the Policy Address delivered last year, the Chief Executive mentioned that a loan of $100m would be made to the HKTA to start up an International Events Fund, designed to bring together private sector partnerships to stage 50 major international events in Hong Kong over the next five years. I wish to stress that five years is a rather short period of time, but within this short span, the loan will be made use of to bring economic benefit to Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, large-scaled international activities in Hong Kong would not only be conducive to the promotion of the tourist industry but also benefit Hong Kong and the people. As a Member mentioned just now, whenever an international event is held, more than 80% of the participants are Hong Kong residents. The residents of Hong Kong are allowed to participate directly in cach and every event and activity. I must stress that for years a float parade is held by the HKTA on the first day of the Chinese New Year, which has
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