The Chief Executive's Question and Answer Session (2016/01/14)

MR YIU SI-WING: President, I share the views of Mr Vincent FANG and Dr CHIANG Lai-wan. The Chief Executive mentioned in the Policy Address that tourism was a major industry in Hong Kong, which played an important role in our Gross Domestic Product and employment. But in fact, following the decrease in the number of visitors last year, we have seen a significant decline in tourism-related trades including retail, catering, hotels and tourist attractions. Some experts in the trade even say that we are entering a severe winter. Having regard to such a situation, the SAR Government allocated $90 million to promotion last year. But in the Policy Address this year, including the part about the Belt and Road Initiative, we do not see any targeted measure for the development of tourism. In particular, under the Belt and Road Initiative in the Policy Address, only the word "tourism" was mentioned in the context of the tourism industry being one of the four economic pillars, without any specific measures.

Hence, may I ask the Chief Executive if he will enhance the arrangements in relation to the promotional funding for tourism, and in particular, include specific details about tourism in the concept of co-ordinated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big Bay Area under the Belt and Road Initiative?

CHIEF EXECUTIVE: We support the development of tourism in Hong Kong. The importance of tourism to Hong Kong lies not only in its share of contribution to the GDP. In the past, I have repeatedly stressed in public that one of the important social benefits of tourism to Hong Kong was the provision of employment opportunities for the large working population in Hong Kong. No matter whether they are hotel or service personnel, drivers or shop sales staff, they will be provided with a large number of employment opportunities. This is one reason for the great importance we attach to it. As I said in the Policy Address yesterday, we also hope that while pursuing development of tourism, we do not merely focus on the growth in tourist numbers because as reflected by many residents in the districts, the excessive number of tourists, irrespective of their origins, will actually affect their daily life. Hence, we have to bring forth co-ordination in this regard.

Tourism is certainly facing a wide range of problems presently. One of them is that with the appreciation of Hong Kong dollar along with US dollar, the value of Hong Kong dollar is higher, thereby affecting our competitiveness. Also, the economic slowdown in the Mainland has also dampened Mainland residents' desire to come to Hong Kong for travelling and shopping. Apart from that, there are also some internal matters we have to deal with properly. How can we recover and rebuild Hong Kong's image as a hospitable city? There can be no gainsaying it that the uncivilized behaviour that took place in our tourist attractions or tourist shopping areas, and comments that gave overseas visitors the impression that they were not welcomed in Hong Kong for travelling and shopping in the past two or three years have affected the desire of visitors, especially those from the Mainland, to come to Hong Kong. I believe they do. How should we address this issue? The SAR Government can demonstrate its attitude. But Hong Kong society as a whole should also rethink and reflect on this issue.

In addition, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) has put forward some requirements recently. As to whether the relevant travel agencies and practitioners can comply with them, I think the tourism sector should also give it some thoughts.

To sum up, we have to undertake external promotion. But Hong Kong's image as a hospitable city is also important. The shopping issue is an example. As far as our image is concerned, the impact of the problem of coerced shopping at designated places is not limited to Mainland tourists only. Perhaps foreign visitors will not join group tours. But they will note from news reports that there is such a practice in Hong Kong, and how Mainland visitors are treated, and our image is thus tarnished. Hence, this task instead falling on the shoulders of one party alone should be done with the concerted efforts of the trade, the whole community, the Government, the TIC, and so on.

MR YIU SI-WING: President, I hope the Chief Executive will state his position as regards the question I asked just now because last year, the SAR Government allocated $90 million to publicity and advertising for the development of tourism. But the Chief Executive's Policy Address this year made no mention of this at all, other than the reference to the work done last year. Can the Chief Executive make a pledge here that he will keep increasing the funding for the promotion of tourism in Hong Kong this year? And this includes the relevant details about the Belt and Road Initiative mentioned earlier on. Can there be additional coverage outlining some brief arrangements in relation to the prospect of tourism?

CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Markets in the Belt and Road countries, especially those in Southeast Asia, can be an area for us to develop. When supporting the relevant work of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, we will provide them with additional funding when necessary, and we can also tap market potential in designated countries or regions through the provision of funding.