ENG-1996 — Page 406

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

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The 1996 Courtesy Campaign was launched at a special Courtesy Day on August 28 (828 and 288 being lucky numbers in Chinese). Local singing stars Cass Phang and Andy Lau were appointed 'Courtesy Stars', while 18 Courtesy Kids one from each of Hong Kong's districts - were joined by a further 100 Courtesy Captains recruited through co-organiser Commercial Radio to spread the message about the importance of courtesy throughout the territory's 18 districts. Other aspects of the campaign focused on taxi-drivers and primary schoolchildren, under the banner of Courtesy Begins in Childhood. The fifth Tourism Walks for Charity took place at the Sports Institute in Sha Tin in December, raising $2 million from the sponsors of the 4 200 walkers.

Industry Training

The association recognised the importance of training in the tourism industry and continued to work closely with the Vocational Training Council and other training institutes to ensure that sufficient and relevant courses were available for personnel either already working in the industry or wishing to join it. The association produced a Hotel, Catering and Tourism Courses Directory to provide comprehensive and detailed information on the availability of such courses.

To generate and maintain a high professional standard among tour co-ordinators, the association and the Hong Kong Association of Registered Tour Co-ordinators (HARTCO) produced the HARTCO Membership Directory to help tourism personnel select qualified guides. In additional, the HKTA organised a biennial "Tour Co- ordinate of the Year Award' to promote pride and professionalism. More than 9 000 nominations were received in the award programme; the top six winners were awarded a trophy and a study trip to Canada.

To promote career opportunities in the tourism industry, the HKTA supported the Travel and Tourism Education Programme. At the end of 1996, 49 schools made tourism a subject in their curriculum for some 3 500 students. The association also gave seven presentations to schools and other interested parties, organised three career seminars and participated in one career exhibition.

Looking to the Future

The HKTA has a blueprint for the future development of the tourism industry based on the recommendations of a Visitor and Tourism Study for Hong Kong (VISTOUR) commissioned by the association in conjunction with the Government Planning Department. The recommendations cover such areas as services, infrastructure, facilities and events. The report was well-received by a wide spectrum of interested parties, including the government and members of the business, professional and industrial communities. The government provided the association with a $50 million Tourism Development Fund, ensuring that feasibility studies on the top-priority projects could proceed promptly.

Top of the list of those projects is a Hong Kong Exposition that will focus on the territory's international role as a vital Asian hub and the gateway to China. The feasibility study for the Hong Kong Exposition is under way.

Other priority projects requiring feasibility studies include a Film City theme park with specially-contrived or working sets for film and television productions; an aquatic stadium of international standard for rowing, canoeing, water-skiing, dragon-boat racing and other water sports; a cruise centre featuring a modern