ENG-1981 — Page 214

IMMIGRATION AND TOURISM

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Territories citizens would remain United Kingdom nationals in the sense that the UK can and will afford consular protection and represent their interests internationally.

The British Nationality Act 1981 was passed into law after receiving the Royal Assent on October 30. With the exception of two sections dealing with procedural matters, however, its provisions did not come into force immediately and are not expected to do so for some months. During this time, detailed procedures will have to be worked out and promulgated to implement its provisions. It is expected that existing Hong Kong British passports will not need to be replaced until their due date of expiry.

Tourism

Hong Kong received 2 500 000 visitors during the year (an increase of 10.3 per cent over 1981), and they spent an estimated $7,547 million on goods and services while in the territory. This was a value increase of 24.5 per cent over the previous year.

Of the major sources of visitors during 1981, the first five by volume were from Southeast Asia (21.9 per cent), Japan (20 per cent), the Americas (18.3 per cent), Western Europe (16.3 per cent) and Australia and New Zealand (9.1 per cent).

Hong Kong Tourist Association

The Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) is responsible for handling tourism and for proposing plans for its development. A statutory body established by the government, the HKTA co-ordinates the activities of the industry and advises the government on measures for ensuring its growth. The chairman and members of its board of management are appointed by the Governor. The HKTA is financed by a subvention from general revenue to which visitors contribute directly by way of a tax on hotel room charges. Members of the association contribute also, through membership dues and through a variety of co- operative activities.

The HKTA has its headquarters in the Connaught Centre, on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island. Information offices for visitors are maintained at three other locations: Hong Kong International Airport; the Star Ferry concourse in Kowloon and the Government Publications Centre near the Hong Kong terminal of the Star Ferry. 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. Analysis of the information requested and a continuous visitor survey programme provide valuable insights into visitors' needs and interests.

The HKTA has its own representative offices in London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo, Osaka and Singapore; the addresses of which are given in Appendix 2. Additionally, the association is represented by Cathay Pacific Airways in Southeast Asia, Japan, Western Australia, the United States, Bahrain and Dubai.

The HKTA aims to maximise tourism revenue by attracting more visitors from potential- ly high-yield market segments, or with special interests, who will stay longer and spend more on a greater variety of goods and services. In addition, the HKTA seeks to develop addi- tional high volume group business from markets with above average per capita expenditure. The association also works closely with its members and with others connected with the tourism industry to promote Hong Kong overseas and to develop and maintain facilities for visitors.

The supply of hotel rooms has been increased substantially, with the recent completion of a number of hotels in the Tsim Sha Tsui East area. During 1981, the average occupancy