Tourism
118. With the efforts of the Government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the travel trade, the tourism industry regained growth after several years of consolidation. Full-year overnight arrivals increased by nearly five per cent, and the number of visitors from long-haul markets with higher spending power also recorded a steady growth. We will strive to bring the edges of local tourism resources into full play and promote our diverse culture with Hong Kong characteristics, with a view to drawing more high-spending overnight visitors from different source markets, and promoting the healthy development of the tourism industry having regard to the receiving capacity of Hong Kong.
119. The Government will continue to join forces with the HKTB and the trade to implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry released in 2017. I will allocate an additional sum of around $353 million to enable the HKTB to step up promotion of Hong Kong's image as a premier tourism destination, entice visitors to experience Hong Kong's local culture in different districts, and enhance publicity on Hong Kong's major festivals and events, etc. Various new initiatives will be rolled out, including:
| (a) | enchancing the capability of the Ngong Ping Nature Centre in providing hiking information for visitors, improving the facilities of country trails in the vicinity, and commissioning a consultancy study for enhancing the facilities of the Hong Kong Wetland Park; |
| (b) | allocating additional funding to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to encourage the development of more thematic tourism products, organise business forums or business co-operation and exchange activities outside Hong Kong, and provide training subsidies for practitioners to enhance service quality of the trade; and |
| (c) | commissioning a consultancy study on strategies and initiatives to promote smart tourism in Hong Kong and enhance visitors' travelling experience through the application of technology. We will extend the official landing page progressively to all boundary control points. The Tourism Commission will continue to work with the OGCIO to provide free Wi-Fi service at tourist hotspots. |
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