ENG-2001 — Page 373

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

million and 2.9 million, respectively, will be additional tourists induced to visit Hong Kong because of the theme park.

In April, the Government invited proposals from the private sector for the finance, design, construction and operation of the Tung Chung Cable Car System on a Build- Operate-Transfer model under a 30-year franchise. Upon its proposed operation in 2006, the system is expected to be a new tourist attraction in itself and, at the same. time, it will help draw more visitors to other attractions on Lantau.

To further enhance Hong Kong's attractiveness as a tourist destination, the Government announced in August that it would implement plans for five major tourism clusters in the medium to long term:-

• Yam O on Lantau will be developed into a new tourism node. This together with Hong Kong Disneyland, the Tung Chung Cable Car, the 'Big Buddha' at Ngong Ping and Tai O Village will make Lantau Island a major tourist area in its own right;

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the Government will take the opportunity afforded by the pleasing countryside and picturesque harbour in Sai Kung to promote ecotourism and encourage the development of water sports and world-class resorts in the district;

⚫ the Government will create a 'culture belt' stretching from the new arts, culture and entertainment area being planned for the West Kowloon Reclamation to the existing museums and performance venues in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. The culture belt will include the former Marine Police Headquarters, which the private sector will be invited to convert to a tourism- themed use. A new tourism node will be developed at south-east Kowloon, and incorporate a multi-purpose stadium and, possibly, a new cruise terminal;

• a heritage, entertainment and dining area will be developed in Central, radiating from the site of the existing Central Police Station, and cover landmark buildings and attractions such as Government House, St John's Cathedral, Hollywood Road and Lan Kwai Fong; and

the Government will support Ocean Park with its strategic development plan, integrating it into the new Aberdeen Harbour tourism node which is being examined in the context of a Focus Study on Aberdeen Harbour.

In addition, as an ecotourism initiative, the Hong Kong Wetland Park is under development at Tin Shui Wai, with the first phase already open and visited by over 97 000 people in 2001. Full development is expected to be completed at the end of 2005. The Wetland Park will also serve conservation and education purposes.

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 the staging of major events to build up its reputation as the 'Events Capital of Asia'.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), (formerly known as the Hong Kong Tourist Association), again organised the Chinese New Year Parade on the first day of the Lunar New Year. More than 250 000 spectators were entertained by 13 colourful floats, 12 international and 26 local performing groups. Shanghai TV provided live coverage of the procession through its satellite channel to more than 1 300 stations in the Mainland.

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