ENG-1996 — Page 402

20 TRAVEL AND TOURISM

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TOURISM remained the territory's second-largest earner of foreign exchange in 1996, when a record 11.7 million visitors came to Hong Kong. This was an increase of 14.7 per cent over the previous year. Tourism earning registered a record $87 billion, 16 per cent higher than 1995, and represented a contribution of about 8 per cent of Hong Kong's gross domestic product.

Hong Kong remained Asia's most popular travel destination. Japan was Hong Kong's top source of visitors, up more than 40 per cent to 2.4 million, or 20.4 per cent of total arrivals. Visitors from China took second place with 19.7 per cent of the total, the numbers rising some 3 per cent to 2.3 million. Taiwan took third place, with arrivals totalling 1.8 million, or 15.6 per cent of the total arrivals. The number of visitors from South and South-East Asia amounted to 1.6 million, while the other major market regions of Europe, Africa and the Middle East totalled 1.3 million, the Americas 1 million, and Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific 400 000.

The Hong Kong Tourist Association

The Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) was established by the government in 1957 to develop the territory's tourism industry as a visitor destination. It promotes the improvement of visitor facilities; secures overseas publicity for the territory's attractions; co-ordinates the activities of the tourism industry; and advises the government on tourism-related matters. Over the past 39 years, the HKTA has worked closely with both the local and international tour operators and travel agents, providing information, support, advice and a host of other services, enabling them to market Hong Kong effectively to their clients.

The chairman and members of the HKTA board of management are appointed by the Governor. The association is funded by an annual subvention from the government. It also derives funds from membership dues, sales of publications and souvenirs, and from its own commercial tours. At the end of 1996, the association had 1700 members, comprising airlines, hotels, travel agents, tour operators, conference/exhibition organisers, and retail, restaurant and other visitor service establishments.

The HKTA maintains information and gift centres in the basement of Jardine House, in Central, and on the Star Ferry concourse in Kowloon. It also operates two information counters at the Hong Kong International Airport at Kai Tak. During 1996, these centres assisted 2.9 million visitors. The HKTA also distributed 13.4 million pieces of visitor literature; handled 1 500 written and e-mail enquiries; sent