ENG-2001 — Page 376

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

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Information Network

The HKTB maintains Visitor Information and Services Centres on Hong Kong Island (in The Center, Queen's Road Central), and in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (on the Star Ferry concourse), as well as information counters at the Hong Kong International Airport.

In 2001, the HKTB helped about 1.24 million tourists, either through these centres or by responding to enquiries received by mail, on the Internet, through its Visitor Hotline or at information counters set up at major international conventions and exhibitions.

Several self-service Visitor InfoPoints were established in district offices and areas popular with tourists, providing information on attractions and events through brochures, computer terminals and phone hotlines. Tourism-related information was also made available through some 100 electronic kiosks in Mass Transit Railway and Kowloon-Canton Railway stations.

About 10 million pieces of HKTB literature were distributed during the year by the HKTB and through partner organisations such as hotels, shopping centres, airlines and public transport operators.

New publications produced by the HKTB in 2001 included a bilingual City of Life: Hong Kong is it! souvenir programme, Hong Kong Superlatives 2001; a trilingual Best of the Best Culinary Guide; the English-language Travel Trade Manual 2001-2002 and Incentives The Complete Planning Guide, and the consumer Traveller's Guide with different editions for the United Kingdom, United States and European markets.

The award-winning DiscoverHongKong.com web site was further enhanced in 2001, with improved imaging and greater opportunity for user interaction. The site receives about three million page views each month.

Marketing

The HKTB has a network of 14 offices outside Hong Kong and representation in six other cities. Staff in these offices promote Hong Kong as a tourist destination to potential visitors, and provide information and assistance to the travel trade and the media.

The two-year 'City of Life: Hong Kong is it!' campaign pools the resources of the public, private and tourism sectors to exploit the vast range of attractions, festivals and events found or taking place throughout the HKSAR. The campaign is organised by the HKTB in co-operation with the Home Affairs Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Tourism Commission, with the support of the 18 District Councils and with the generous support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as principal sponsor.

Five major events are planned under the 'City of Life: Hong Kong is it!' banner. The first, 'CLP Lights Up Hong Kong' brought spectacular outdoor lighting displays to the Victoria Harbour waterfront and other areas of Hong Kong to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

The Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Parade & Fiesta and the Hong Kong Flower Extravaganza are to be held in 2002, along with the Mega Hong Kong Sale, a region-wide shopping promotion in the summer. At the end of 2002, the City