ENG-2000 — Page 360

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quality recreational facilities. It will also herald a new era for Hong Kong's tourism industry and consolidate Hong Kong's position as a must-see tourist destination. The theme park is expected to attract 3.4 million incoming tourists in its first year of operation, rising to 7.4 million after about 15 years. Of these, an estimated 1.4 million and 2.9 million respectively will be additional tourists induced to visit Hong Kong because of the theme park.

Hong Kong Disneyland will provide a major recreation outlet and destination for Hong Kong families and overseas visitors, and strengthen Hong Kong's position as a premier tourist destination with world-class attractions.

In February, the Government invited expressions of interest for the construction and operation of a cable car system linking Tung Chung and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island by 2006. Upon operation, the system is expected to be a new tourist attraction in itself and, at the same time, will help draw more visitors to other attractions on Lantau.

Events Tourism

One of the key strategies for further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a premier destination in Asia is to promote and facilitate major events in Hong Kong and build up Hong Kong's reputation as the 'Events Capital of Asia'.

The Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) again organised the Chinese New Year Parade, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, bringing in 51 teams of performing groups from various parts of the world. In June, the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival International Races, organised by the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, took place at Sha Tin, attracting 88 local and 15 overseas teams.

The Government leased the former Tamar site, at Admiralty on Hong Kong Island, to the HKTA between September 1998 to June 2000, and after that management of the site was taken over by the Tourism Commission. During the year, 16 events of a wide variety and with appeal to both visitors and local residents were held.

In collaboration with the European business and diplomatic community, the Tourism Commission launched a new signature event, Hong Kong's EuroChristmas (held from December 15, 2000 to January 2, 2001) at the Expo Promenade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The main event was a free outdoor Christmas fair featuring handicraft and gift booths, and 34 food and beverages booths, in a European Winter setting. There were also indoor events and other cultural programmes.

Ecotourism

The International Wetland Park (IWP) project at Tin Shui Wai is due for completion in 2004. This is a major ecotourism initiative aimed at diversifying the range of tourist attractions in Hong Kong, and enhance its attractiveness as a tourist destination. It will also serve as a conservation and education facility. The IWP has been designated one of the Government's millennium capital works projects. Phase 1 of the project, with an exhibition pavilion and outdoor exhibits and serving primarily conservation education functions, was opened in December. The detailed design for Phase 2 of the project will begin in 2001.

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