HK to Launch Public Consultations on Tourism Development

HONG KONG, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Tourism Commission of Hong Kong will launch a major public consultation exercise to seek the community's views on tourism development.

Mike Rowse, commissioner for tourism, said at a press conference Wednesday that it is vital to secure public support in making Hong Kong a friendly place to visit.

"We will begin on Saturday with a meeting with the Provisional District Board chairmen," he said. "I hope this will mark the start of a constructive dialogue on how to explore new promotional
ideas throughout the Special Administrative Region (SAR)."

In addition, the Tourism Commission will organize a public forum on September 11, focusing on the vision and strategy of the future of tourism development in Hong Kong, as well as the products needed to support such a strategy, according to Rowse.

He said a Tourism Strategy Group will be set up to advise the government on policy and other tourism-related matters.

The group will comprise some 20 prominent individuals from various tourism and related sectors, Legislative Council, academics as well as related government officials, he said.
Tourism, a major industry in Hong Kong, has witnessed continuous increase of tourist arrivals in the first half of this year.

Statistics from the Hong Kong Tourism Association indicate that the number of visitors to Hong Kong in June reached 817,070, up 7. 7 percent over June last year.