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Hong Kong Tourist Association

IMMIGRATION AND TOURISM

Responsibility for handling tourism and for proposing plans for its development lies with the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA).

The HKTA aims at increasing the number of people visiting Hong Kong while, at the same time, attracting more tourists from higher income groups or with special interests who will stay longer and spend more on a greater variety of goods and services.

A statutory body established by the government, the HKTA co-ordinates the activities of the industry and advises the government on measures for its growth. The chairman and members of the board are appointed by the Governor. The HKTA is financed by a subvention from general revenue to which certain sections of the industry contribute directly by way of a tax on hotel room charges. Members of the association also contribute to its costs through their membership dues.

The headquarters of the association are centrally located in Connaught Centre, on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island. Information offices for tourists are maintained at four other locations: Hong Kong International Airport; the Star Ferry Concourse in Kowloon; the Government Publications Centre near the Hong Kong terminal of the Star Ferry; and the World Trade Centre in Causeway Bay. These offices play an important role in ensuring that visitors obtain up-to-date information about Hong Kong, and achieve maximum satisfaction during their stay. They also enable a valuable insight to be obtained into visitors' needs and interests.

As well as its activities in Hong Kong, the HKTA has its own representative offices in London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Osaka and Singapore. Additionally in Southeast Asia, Japan, Australia, the United States and Bahrain, the association is represented by Cathay Pacific Airways. The HKTA works closely with its membership and with others connected with the tourist industry to develop and maintain facilities for visitors to Hong Kong. A prime concern is the provision of hotel rooms. The occupancy rate for Hong Kong hotels has been consistently above the world average for many years. During 1978, the average rate was 89 per cent. Investors continued to show an interest in hotel develop- ment and the association received many enquiries from Hong Kong and overseas. In December, phase one of the New World Hotel comprising 421 rooms opened, bringing the total number of hotel rooms in Hong Kong to 14,168. To maintain occupancy rates and to develop business in the off-peak months, the association pursues a highly selective marketing policy on the one hand and an active product development programme on the other.

A factor of growing importance to Hong Kong's tourist industry is the development of tourism in China. Senior Chinese officials have been studying the Hong Kong in- dustry and have had discussions with the HKTA about future travel trends. Sub- stantial development of China's tourist industry is expected to attract more visitors through Hong Kong.

Product Development

The HKTA has been concerned with the initiation and creation of many facilities such as Ocean Park and the annual Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival – which are now