Proposal for the 2012 – 2013 Policy Address

Tourism is one of the four economic pillars in Hong Kong.Despite airlines, hotels, and travelagencies have all brought direct benefits to thedevelopment of our local economy, the government hasall along neglected the scale and development of the tourism industry. With insufficient resourcesand support given from the government, the tourism industry is finding itincreasingly difficult to operate. It is an indisputable fact thatfactors such as rising costs, reducedincome, and intense competition have all prevented the industry from sharing the benefits of economic development.In view of the commitments the Chief Executive made at hiselection manifesto for the tourismindustry, I have based on the realistic situation and come up with thefollowing advices for his consideration in the future Policy Address:

1.     Formulate Long-term Tourism Development Plan

 

·            Byseizing opportunity emerged from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, developtourist area in Lantau and plan the same in the Lok Ma Chau Loop.

 

·            Strengthenand improve the transportation and commercial facilities surrounding Kai TakCruise Terminal by integrating advantages brought by the rich tourist andtourism resources in the Pearl River Delta. This can enable the Terminal todevelop into the largest regional cruise hub in Asia.

 

·            Improvethe port supporting arrangements by opening more checkpoints and shortening clearance time for visitors. Moreresources should be devoted to work with the Guangdong Province and Macao in developingthe “One-trip, Multi-stop” concept in tourism in orderto attract more overseas visitors.

 

·            Base onthe tourist growth rate, balance market demands by gradually increasing land supply in urban andrural areas for hotel use and relax restrictionson revitalization of industrial buildings into hotels.

 

·            Increasethe opening of flying passages and flight frequency while shortening the timerequired for third runway expansion.

 

2.       Support the Development of Tourism in Hong Kong

 

·            Accordingto agreements made at CEPA 9, enable Hong Kong enterprises to expand their mainland market (including localtravel agencies running overseas travel business formainland residents) and come up with all-roundedsolutions to cover minor details.

·            Furtherdevelop tourism consumption by continuing to seek “Multiple-entry Permit” fornon-permanent residents in major cities other than Shenzhen.

 

·            Expandfunding scope of the "SME Development Fund" and subsidize theindustry on costs incurred from technology application, software developmentand hardware installation, thereby enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong’ssmall and medium-sized travel agencies in the international market.

 

·            Accordingto the investment and environmental conditions in Hong Kong,comprehensively increase more tourist attractions(along with green ecotourism) and performancevenues. Through different marketingactivities, develop various formsof shopping tourism in order to enhance competitivenessof the tourism market.

 

·            Stabilizethe parking charges and other service fees in the Hong Kong InternationalAirport in order to upgrade the competitiveness of Hong Kong as an aviation hub

 

3.        Safeguard the reputation of Hong Kong Tourism

 

·            Well-establishplans for setting up the Travel Industry Authority and improve the currentoperation and services provided by the Travel IndustryCouncil of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, avoid affecting the operationof local travel agencies due to restructuring of the regulatory framework.

 

·            In the interests of consumerprotection, study the expanding of usage on the balanceof the Travel Industry Compensation Fund, including resolutions for collective travel insurance.

 

·            Improve professionalstandards by fortifying the manpower training aspect.

 

·            Safeguardthe reputation of Hong Kong tourism through comprehensive review of licensingsystem for travel agencies, striking campaigns on illegally-arranged tours toHong Kong and tightened supervision of retail shops.

 

Establishas soon as possible a comprehensive mechanism on retirement protection, which canin turn cultivate a sense of belonging among fellow colleagues and improve the negative image of Hong Kong amongthe public.