ENG-1990 — Page 344

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TRAVEL AND TOURISM

During 1990, the HKTA continued to promote Hong Kong as a year-round travel destination, marketing its unique blend of East and West and wide variety of attractions. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival- International Races 1990, organised by the HKTA in June for the 15th consecutive year, again received wide international coverage through a special VisNews television clip which was screened around the world. A total of 23 overseas teams took part in the international races in 1990 and the Row For Charity events raised HK$1,025,000 for the Community Chest of Hong Kong. Following the 1990 festival, representatives of all the participating teams were invited to attend a conference during which it was decided to form a steering group to discuss and prepare a draft constitution for an International Federation of Dragon Boat Racing, which will have its headquarters in Hong Kong.

In October, the second Hong Kong Waiters' Race was held, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Hotels Association, to foster greater camaraderie among the staff of the industry. The event attracted 404 participants from 40 hotels and restaurants running in seven different categories.

To expand the range of tour options for visitors and highlight the territory's cultural attractions, the association launched the Cultural Diversions Tour in January; this offers participants the chance to see behind the scenes at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, and includes a Chinese cultural performance and a Chinese banquet.

In 1990, the HKTA's popular The Land Between Tour was increased to six days a week, while the Housing Tour and Home Visit was introduced on a regular basis. A new Cheung Chau Island Walking Tour Guide was introduced to complement the existing Central and Western District Walking Tour and the Yau Ma Tei Walking Tour guides. In addition, the HKTA (with commercial sponsorship and the support of the Islands District Board and the Islands District Office) erected 39 directional signs and three plaques on the three family trails and historic sites along the routes on Cheung Chau Island.

Other tours operated by the association throughout the year were the Come Horseracing Tour, which now includes a meal in the Visitors' Box in the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club; the Sports and Recreation Tour; the self-guided Gourmet Dining in Hong Kong and the Yum Sing Night on the Town programmes; and such special Festival tours as those for the Yuen Siu Festival, the Tin Hau Festival and the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. The HKTA also ran the Heritage Tour, including a stop at the Sam Tung Uk Museum which, as the association's entry, won the Gold Award (Joint) of the 1990 Pacific Asia Travel Association Heritage Award.

With the support of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, Architectural Services Department and Government Information Services Department, the HKTA organised the Hong Kong Heritage exhibition in September. This was staged in prominent locations and was aimed at promoting public awareness and appreciation of Hong Kong's heritage, to gain support for its conservation and preservation.

To further promote Hong Kong as a multi-faceted travel destination, a new event was introduced on Hong Kong's calendar. The Image Hong Kong '90 International Photographers' Meet, organised by the association, took place in December and attracted more than 1 000 professional and amateur photographers.

The event was, in fact, a year-long celebration of the many and varied angles of the territory. During the year, a series of competitions associated with Image Hong Kong '90