ENG-1984 — Page 291

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IMMIGRATION AND TOURISM

industry and advises the government and the industry itself 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 the government's general revenue to which visitors contribute directly through a five per cent tax on hotel room charges. Membership dues and a variety of largely co-operative activities also help finance the association.

The HKTA has its headquarters in the Connaught Centre on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island. Information offices for visitors are maintained at two other locations: Hong Kong International Airport and the Star Ferry Concourse in Kowloon. These offices play an important role in ensuring that visitors can obtain up-to-date information about Hong Kong. Analysis of the information requested and a continuous visitor survey programme provide valuable insights into visitors' spending patterns, as well as their needs and interests.

The HKTA has its own representative offices in London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Osaka and Singapore (details are given at Appendix 2). Additionally, the association is represented by Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways in Southeast Asia, Japan, Western Australia, the United States, Bahrain, Dubai and Bombay.

There are two categories of HKTA members, 'travel industry' and 'ordinary' members (the latter category representing retail and other service organisations).

The marketing policy of the HKTA continues to be concentrated on high yield market segments and increased length of stay, resulting in higher visitor spending. The increased value of foreign currencies against the Hong Kong dollar has also produced a significant increase, in Hong Kong dollar terms, in per capita spending by visitors. Research projects continue to be conducted in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. These projects provide useful information on the potential of tourism from these countries, as well as travel motivations and perceptions of Hong Kong as a destination.

During the year, trade and consumer promotions were organised in major markets. These promotions emphasised the variety of Hong Kong's attractions, such as shopping, food, nightlife and resort facilities. Twenty-four overseas travel agents were specially selected to take part in an International Seminar on Special Interest Tours, which coincided with the 1984 International Dragon Boat Races. It was the first time such a seminar had been organised. Altogether, 4760 travel trade members from around the world were briefed and brought up-to-date with the territory's tourism product. Hong Kong has also become the venue for a growing number of international meetings and incentive move- ments by business groups and professional organisations. An International Seminar for Incentive Travel Users the first of its kind in the world - was staged in Hong Kong, bringing together major end-users and members of the local tourism industry. In 1984, more than 600 international conferences and incentive programmes brought about 100 000 delegates and visitors to Hong Kong.

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The HKTA, through its Product Development and Tour Development Department, aims at preserving and improving existing visitor facilities and at encouraging the development of new projects and tours. These serve both to increase Hong Kong's attraction as a destination and to encourage visitors to stay longer. The association also encourages investment and development in hotels, resorts, restaurants and similar facilities, and promotes festivals, special interest tours and the revival of Chinese culture and heritage. Two new museums were opened in 1984: the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Central District, and the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum in Sai Kung. Among the tours