Tourism
86. Tourism has been making immense contribution to Hong Kong's economy. In 2013, visitors to Hong Kong exceeded 50 million, an increase of 11.7 per cent over 2012. Total spending went up by 14.8 per cent to $340 billion. Tourism, making up 4.7 per cent of GDP and employing over 250 000 people, has been driving the growth of many other industries, such as retail, catering and transport. I appreciate that an excessive number or over-concentration of visitors may exert pressure on our society. Government should strive to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to receive visitors.
87. In order to attract high-spending visitors to Hong Kong, thus bring about more economic benefits from tourism, we should continue to upgrade our tourist facilities, host attractive mega events and maintain an adequate supply of high-end hotel accommodation.
88. On tourist facilities, the construction of the waterpark at Tai Shue Wan in the Ocean Park and the "Iron Man Experience" in the Hong Kong Disneyland has commenced by phases. The terminal building and the first berth of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal came into operation last June. Cruise lines and passengers have found the Terminal's facilities and services satisfactory. With construction works now in the final stage, the second berth is planned to be commissioned this year. "Kai Tak Fantasy" ― International Ideas Competition on Urban Planning and Design is now under way, and it is our target to develop the site into a spectacular world-class tourism, entertainment and leisure hub.
89. As for hotels, Government is pressing ahead with the infrastructure works at the southern end of the runway and south apron of the former Kai Tak Airport. We are identifying feasible ways for the gradual release of the six sites facing Victoria Harbour within the "hotel belt" adjacent to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to the market starting from the end of next year. These prime sites can be developed into a distinctive hotel cluster with five-star accommodation as well as gourmet and entertainment facilities.
90. The hotel project at the Murray Building site has been successfully tendered. Upon commissioning, this hotel, together with the Ocean Hotel in the Ocean Park and the third hotel in the Hong Kong Disneyland, will provide altogether over 1 500 rooms, offering more diverse and novel choices of quality hotel accommodation.
91. Overnight business travellers are our prime targets. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the total spending of visitors attending conventions and exhibitions in Hong Kong reached $16.3 billion in 2013. Their per capita spending was close to $10,000, 21 per cent more than that of other overnight visitors.
92. As our neighbouring cities have been proactive in drawing convention and exhibition visitors in recent years, we must adjust our strategies from time to time. I shall allocate an additional $45 million for the HKTB to provide more attractive and targeted services and concessions for organisers and participants of conventions and exhibitions of various scales and types in the coming three years. Meanwhile, Government is studying the demand for convention and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong in the next 15 years.
93. We have to keep enriching our cultural, art and sports programmes which will, apart from enabling local residents to enjoy more, refresh our city's appeal to overseas visitors and attract them to come back again at different times. We shall provide additional funding of $50 million to the HKTB in the coming two years to strengthen even further its popular events, such as the Wine and Dine Festival, the New Year Countdown Celebrations and the Chinese New Year Night Parade. One way to do so is to introduce 3D projection mapping technology to help showcase the magnificent night view of the Victoria Harbour during mega events. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy this projection mapping show as part of the year-end festivities in 2014. We shall continue to seek to host mega events, including through financial support from the Mega Events Fund, on the Victoria harbourfront for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
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