ENG-1999 — Page 340

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

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June 2000. During 1999, the association co-organised, or sub-let the site for, a wide variety of events which held appeal for foreign visitors.

Research and Development

The establishment of the Tourism Development Fund in 1996 enabled the HKTA to finance feasibility studies on a number of new priority attractions recommended in the Visitor and Tourism Study for Hong Kong, completed in 1995.

Studies completed in 1999 included the International Wetland Park and Visitor Centre; an assessment of the resort hotel development market; Phase 2 of the Aquatic Stadium/Centre Study; the guidebook Exploring Hong Kong's Countryside - A Visitor's Companion; Enhancement of Existing Tourist Attractions in Central & Western District; and the Environmentally Sustainable Development Strategy for the Travel and Tourism Industry in Hong Kong.

Studies and projects that began in 1999 included the Hotel Development Information System; an Avenue of Stars; Implementation of Visitor Signage Pilot Projects at Stanley Market and Central District, and a Study on the Improvement of The Peak as a Visitor Attraction. The HKTA was also involved in various government studies, including those on land use and tourism planning.

Tourism Products

The HKTA has developed in collaboration with the Antiquities and Monuments Office self-guided walking tours. Following the successful introduction of the Heritage and Architecture Walking Tour: Hong Kong Island in 1998, further tour routes were compiled for Kowloon and the Tai Po District. For each tour, visitors may rent a portable audio system that provides a commentary on the sights along each route.

The HKTA is working closely with its member tour operators and other relevant parties to encourage further development of new products, as well as specialised theme tours and training programmes for tour guides.

Convention and Exhibition Travel

The convention, exhibition and incentive travel sector is a key component of the tourism industry. During 1999, Hong Kong hosted more than 279 international events, attracting more than 253 400 overseas delegates and participants. All coming conferences and exhibitions are listed in a calendar available both in print and on the association's web site.

The HKTA also offered assistance to individuals and groups with on-site inspections and educational visits. Among the most important of these were the Hong Kong Meeting Your Choice event in May, which was attended by 52 executives from leading international professional bodies. Stemming from this gathering, the executives nominated more than 50 events for possible staging in Hong Kong, with eight already confirmed and 4 400 delegates expected to attend. The success of such gatherings was demonstrated when the American Society of Association Executives voted it first in the Promotion of One-Time Event category of its 1999 PRIMA Awards.

The Convention Ambassador Programme, launched in 1994, has recruited some 800 business leaders, professionals and academics from a wide variety of fields who