Tourism Industry
134. Tourism boosts local economic development and creates employment opportunities. To pursue the concept of "tourism is everywhere" and implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0, I will allocate $1,235 million to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in the coming year.
135. The HKTB will collaborate with more international brands to tell the good stories of Hong Kong's tourism. For example, the HKTB signed a three-year global strategic partnership agreement with Art Basel to establish immersive experience zones of Hong Kong culture in all four annual Art Basel shows around the world, strengthening Hong Kong's connection with the global art scene.
136. We will step up efforts to promote a series of distinctive tourism products such as eco‑tourism, panda tourism, horse-racing tourism, etc., to enrich travel experiences in Hong Kong.
137. The HKTB will continue to support the staging of more meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions in Hong Kong, which are expected to bring about 183 000 additional visitor arrivals and spending of about $1.4 billion.
138. I have earmarked resources to strengthen support to the cruise industry, encouraging cruise lines to increase their number of ship calls to Hong Kong, make overnight calls and use Hong Kong as the homeport. We will provide cruise lines with more concessions to attract cruise ships to berth at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal during the low season.
Mega Event Economy
139. We will continue to promote and publicise Hong Kong as a mega events capital globally, attract more tourists to Hong Kong and enhance their tourism experience during their stay.
140. Kai Tak Sports Park is the largest‑ever sports infrastructure in Hong Kong with the 50 000-seat Stadium. Large scale sports and entertainment events will be held in the Park, thereby driving visitation and spending.
141. The Government has been supporting the staging of major international sports events in Hong Kong through "M" Mark System. We will adopt a more strategic approach in continuously attracting sports events which can bring significant economic benefits to Hong Kong, and are in discussion with LIV Golf which has been held in Hong Kong for two consecutive years to explore long-term partnership. Announcement will be made shortly.
Seize Opportunities Arising from Resumption of Multiple‑entry Individual Visit Scheme
142. The Government of the HKSAR expresses great gratitude to the Central Government for resuming at the end of last year the multiple‑entry Individual Visit Endorsements for Shenzhen permanent residents and expanding the arrangement to Shenzhen residence permit holders. Since the implementation of the new measure, more than 700 000 visitors have travelled to Hong Kong on multiple‑entry Individual Visit Endorsements.
143. Thanks to the new measure and with an increase in the number of overseas travellers, the city bustles with activities. Retail, catering and other sectors all reported growth in business volume during the recent Christmas and New Year holidays. The Government will make good use of the various measures that benefit Hong Kong to proactively promote the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry.
Develop Visitor Sources from the Middle East and ASEAN
144. In collaboration with the HKTB, the Government will make extra efforts to develop markets in the Middle East and ASEAN to attract more high‑end visitors. The Government is encouraging various sectors of the community to enhance tourism‑support facilities, such as providing worship facilities in hotels and stepping up staff training to strengthen the industry's understanding of the visitors' different cultural backgrounds.
Smart Tourism
145. The HKTB will enhance the one‑stop travel information platform, Discover Hong Kong to provide a "Live Travel Map" and a "Smart Itinerary Planner" so as to provide visitors with more comprehensive and personalised itinerary suggestions, travel information and offers.
Leverage Harbourfront Resources
146. We are making every effort to enhance the harbourfront on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. The recently opened western section of the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point has been popular among the public. The eastern section of the Boardwalk, the Hung Hom Urban Park (Phase 2) and the open space at Eastern Street North in Sai Ying Pun will also be completed this year. We will set up refreshment stalls at harbourfront locations in Central, Wan Chai, North Point and Tsim Sha Tsui this year to enrich visitor experience.
147. The Government has invited the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited to conduct a study to develop the waterfront and former pier sites to the south of Hung Hom Station into a new harbourfront landmark. It will include iconic commercial and residential developments, retail, dining and entertainment facilities, as well as yacht club for promoting yacht tourism. We will put forward land use proposals in the middle of this year.
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