Measures to Promote Economic Development(2013/05/22)

MR YIU SI-WING: President, the Secretary, in his response on the development of tourism, only focused on improving the existing hardware but there is no elaboration on the planning for tourism for the next few years, nor is there any new idea. May I ask the authorities what the ideas on the future planning for tourism are?

SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Thanks to Mr YIU Si-wing for his question. Mr YIU is also well aware that we have done a great deal in respect of the infrastructure for and the regulation of tourism. For example, in relation to a framework for the regulation of tourism, we carried out an extensive consultation to pool collective wisdom and the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) was established. Under the framework of the TIA, we will examine the training and regulatory needs in relation to the development of tourism as a whole. In addition, we are now carrying out an assessment on the capacity and direction of development of tourism in Hong Kong. In this regard, if it is necessary to explore certain aspects or pursue focused development, we will continue to undertake the relevant tasks. I believe, with the joint efforts of the industry and the Government, our tourism industry will see lively and diversified development.

PRESIDENT: Has your supplementary question not been answered?

MR YIU SI-WING : No, he only talked about one aspect of the issue. Planning should be holistic and involves various aspects of tourism, such as food, accommodation, transport, entertainment, sightseeing and shopping. The industry is just one of these aspects. I hope the authorities can give holistic consideration to the development of tourism.

SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: President, on the provision of sightseeing spots and the training of manpower for the tourism industry, we have done a lot of work to identify our strengths in this regard. In addition, on finding new sources of visitors, through the promotions of the Hong Kong Tourism Board overseas and on the Mainland, we have developed new sources of visitors, in particular, we noticed that the numbers of visitors from many emerging markets, for example, Russia, have seen significant increases.
In addition, we have striven for the implementation of an "early and pilot implementation" measure for the industry in the context of CEPA. For example, a company can now organize outbound tours. In the future, we will continue to explore, together with the departments of the Central Authorities, how to help the industry develop more new business opportunities.