The2014 Policy Address Responded Demands from theTourism Sector

 

Chief Executive Mr. C. Y. Leung has announced his 2014 Policy Address on 15 January 2014. While affirming the role of the tourism industry in stimulating the local economy and contributing vast employment opportunities, the Policy Address was also aware that Hong Kong needs to expand its passenger handling capacity.  For long-term tourism development, the government has ​​decided to set up a "Lantau Development Consultation Committee" in order to implement the development plan for LantauIsland. To respond to the recommendationsraised by our industry on developing Lautau into a “Tourist Island”, research will be carried out on the possibility of developinga large-scale shopping mall with dining, entertainment and hotel facilities at the future artificial island near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

 

Since taking the office as LegCo representative forthe tourism industry,I have expressed to the government in different occasions and through various channels on the operating difficulties and problems encountered by our industry. Compared with thepast, this year's policy address has clearly responded to ourdemands. Apart from increasing the coverage and placing tourism as the third issue in the “Economy” chapter,the reporting was also more systematic.

 

However, the policy address still stayed in the conceptual stage in developing measures for tourism development. While no specific timetable was drafted for the various plans, there was also no mentioning on thesolutions for targeting the problems of hotel supply and unlicensed guesthouses. As the third runway cannot be completed before 2023, we still have to continuously strive towards the implementation of various measures as soon as possible.

 

Attached are relevant descriptions of my recent work and the contents of policy address that related to tourism. As development of tourism relies on hard work through ourconcerted efforts, please provide your valuable comments towardsthe policy address. I shall continue to reflect to the government and fight for the implementation of recommendations that benefit the development oftourism in Hong Kong.