ENG-2014 — Page 365

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Travel and Tourism

Conference on Emergency Medicine, 8th International Congress for Cognitive Psychotherapy, 4th Hong Kong International Dental Expo and Symposium and 2nd Asia Pacific Glaucoma Congress. Major events to be staged in Hong Kong in the coming years include 6th World Glaucoma Congress 2015, UFI Asia Seminar 2015, ASAE Asia Pacific Great Ideas Conference 2015, HXGN Live Asia 2015, World Business Forum 2015-2017, World Congress of Anaesthesiologists 2016, Million Dollar Round Table Experience 2016, 38th Asia Pacific Dental Congress 2016 and CFA Institute Annual Conference 2017.

Cruise Tourism

The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, commissioned in June 2013 and built on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport runway, is capable of accommodating cruise ships with a gross tonnage of up to 220,000 tons. In its first full year of operation in 2014, there were 28 ship calls at the terminal for a total of 50 days, with total passenger throughput over 130,000. The number of ship calls is expected to continue to increase in the coming years.

To promote regional co-operation of the cruise industry, the HKTB collaborated with neighbouring ports in launching the 'Asia Cruise Fund' in April this year. The fund provided incentives to encourage cruise lines to include ports in the region, including Hong Kong, in their cruise itineraries.

Mega Events

In recognition of the fact that large-scale events enrich visitors' travel experience and add colour and vibrancy to the city, the government established the Mega Events Fund (MEF) in 2009 to encourage the staging of such events in Hong Kong. In April 2012, the Legislative Council's Finance Committee approved $150 million to fund the MEF for a further five years to attract more mega events to Hong Kong. Since its establishment, the MEF has provided funds

to 24 events.

In 2014, the HKTB organised a number of mega events to attract visitors to the city, including the International Chinese New Year Parade; the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival; the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show; the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival; the Hong Kong WinterFest; and the New Year Countdown Celebrations.

Green Tourism

The HKTB's 'Great Outdoors Hong Kong' promotes the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China, the natural scenery of outlying islands, popular hiking trails and other green attractions. In 2014, the HKTB continued to promote the nature attractions of Hong Kong through various channels such as its official website, guidebook, travel hotline and visitor centres.

Tourism Infrastructure, Facilities and Products

Hong Kong offers a wide range of attractions to visitors. There is something for everyone - the sightseer, the food lover, the shopper, the family, the businessman, the leisure traveller, the young and the old. The most popular spot for sightseers is the Peak, which provides a panoramic view of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour. Other popular attractions include the theme parks, temples, heritage sites, natural landscape, and the

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