ENG-2006 — Page 369

Travel and Tourism I 301

To enhance corporate governance, the Board of Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited appointed Mr Philip Chen and Mr Payson Cha to the board as Independent Non-executive Directors in August.

The Hong Kong Wetland Park, a world-class conservation, education and tourism facility, is Hong Kong's first major 'green' tourism attraction. It was planned meticulously to make it compatible with the surrounding area and to ensure that the wildlife there was not disturbed. The park's design was awarded the 'Medal of the Year', the highest honour bestowed by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. The park opened on May 20, 2006, attracting more than 900 000 visitors during its first seven months of operation.

The other big attraction was Ngong Ping 360, which opened in September. Ngong Ping 360 is a cable car system between Tung Chung near the airport and the top of Lantau where tourists can visit a traditional Chinese and Buddhist-themed village as well as Tian Tan Buddha, the world's largest, seated, outdoor, bronze Buddha statue, and Po Lin Monastery. Other attractions on Lantau include the quaint fishing village of Tai O and enticing beaches on the southern part of the island.

The Government will continue making capital of Hong Kong's appeal as a tourist destination by developing new infrastructure and improving existing facilities:

• The Government announced its plan in October 2006 for developing a new cruise terminal at the former Kai Tak runway. The Government will offer the 7.6 hectares of land at the southern end of the former runway to the market through an open land tender. The successful bidder will have to develop and operate the new cruise terminal at its own expense. The Government intends to award the tender in the second quarter of 2008. The terminal's first berth is expected to be commissioned in 2012.

• The Government is also working with Ocean Park to implement its redevelopment project to turn the park into a world-class marine-themed attraction. The project will be done in phases, with new products being introduced at each phase. The first product will be available by early 2007 and the others will come on stream between 2012 and 2013.

• Work on developing the former Marine Police Headquarters compound in Tsim Sha Tsui as a heritage site is continuing and will be completed in 2008. It is the first project of its kind in which the private sector is taking part. A 'heritage' hotel is expected to be built at the site.

• The Government launched a green tourism programme in the northeastern part of the New Territories in early 2006 to help raise public awareness of conservation of its natural environment for local residents and tourists to enjoy. The programme calls for improvements to the facilities at Plover Cove, Tolo Channel and Tung Ping Chau. It also calls for the drawing up of an itinerary for tourists to visit Hong Kong's many scenic islands. In September 2006, the HKTB launched a six-month pilot programme, called 'Nature Kaleidoscope', to show visitors Hong Kong's beautiful countryside.