MR YIU SI-WING (in Cantonese): Chairman, I rise to speak in opposition to CSA No. 53: Resolved that head 152 be reduced by $26,300,000 in respect of subhead 000. The sum is approximately equivalent to the estimates of expenditure 2018-2019 of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau for supporting the Ocean Park in developing education tourism projects and staging a new 3D projection-cum-water light show with local elements.

Both the Hong Kong Ocean Park ("Ocean Park") and the Hong Kong Disneyland ("Disney") are famous theme parks in Hong Kong. It is an undeniable fact that they have made significant contributions to the local tourism industry and related consumer industries over the years, directly boosting local economic development and job creation. Given the increasingly keen competition from neighbouring competitors, the Government increased its equity capital injection for Disney by $5,450 million last year to enhance Disney's overall attractiveness in an attempt to prevent it from continuing to record operating losses incurred in running the various lands. Some of the terms and conditions involved might sound unreasonable, but anyway, the Government had done the right thing to help maintain Disney's competitiveness in the region.

 

Established for 41 years up to the present day, Ocean Park, another major theme park in Hong Kong, is a place where many local citizens spent their happy childhood. Moreover, it is also an ideal destination for the elderly to visit for free. Similar to Disney, Ocean Park has also made great contribution to both the economy and enhancing Hong Kong's attractiveness as a tourist hotspot. However, its operation is facing an severe challenge right now because of the emergence of Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai as a competitor to its theme zones. Given the fact that Ocean Park has become an important local brand name, it is still incumbent upon the Government to give Ocean Part due support even though it does not hold nay shares in the latter. It can help enable healthy development of the theme zones in Ocean Park by doing so which will remain a thread of the fabric of Hong Kong citizens' collective memory.

 

The Government proposed in this year's Budget that an additional sum of $310 million will be allocated to support the Ocean Park in developing education and tourism projects in a bid to enhance its competitiveness. This proposal does have my support. Chairman, when compared with the amount of capital injection into Disney by the Government, this sum is not a huge one, and it is the only means to help the theme park meet its imminent needs. To reverse completely the situation of being forced into a passive position, Ocean Park has to follow Disneyland's example of formulating short-, medium- and long-term planning and development strategies that are more forward-looking to put in place tourist facilities with more special features to enhance the overall competitiveness and vitality of the theme zones. And I do hope that the Government will support the theme park in terms of capital injection and policy-making by then.

 

Chairman, this amendment also proposes to cut the estimated annual expenditure for the staging of a new 3D projection-cum-water light show with local elements. In recent years, in order to attract more tourists to visit Hong Kong, the Government has increased funding for the Hong Kong Tourism Board ("HKTB"). The HKTB focuses on publicizing and promoting projects with local elements while taking forward new tourism projects in the meantime. Some of these projects have been going fine over the past two years. Thus, the Government should turn away from its unmoving faith in the charm of traditional scenic spots. Instead, it should keep on encouraging and supporting the HKTB to launch creative tourism products in order to attract visitors who have different needs. By doing so, we can offer different experiences to visitors during their trips to Hong Kong. In fact, the amount of money to be invested in these projects is not that big. If investing in these projects can help enrich Hong Kong's features, why not do so?

 

Apart from strengthening the existing tourism elements, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau is responsible for making possible the early commencement of travel-related facilities and projects, including actively coordinating with various Policy Bureaux. Taking the Food Truck Pilot Project as an example, the then Financial Secretary proposed that the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau should set up a dedicated office as soon as possible to help the operators coordinate with various government departments and solve problems. The final plan can be launched smoothly. In contrast, last year, the HKTB launched the "Old Town Central" programme to promote historic buildings, arts and culture with local characteristics, fashionable lifestyles, food and entertainment, and all this received positive feedback from visitors and parties. Nonetheless, support from the authorities was still so inadequate that even the provision of QR codes and temporary sign boards along the walking routes had to be financed by HKTB itself. The situation did not improve until the programme on updating and enriching the Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail (jointly promoted by the Tourism Commission, the Central and Western District Council and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department) was launched later. For example, more than 10 statues/design works were displayed on the streets and QR codes were installed so that visitors could have better experience when touring around the "Old Town Central". Needless to say, I do hope that the entire "Old Town Central" can give visitors can have a brand-new feeling so that they will have better travel experience.

 

The example above tells us one thing: the Government does not have a policy in the systematic development of Hong Kong's tourist facilities and always works according to the will of those in command only. Therefore, I hope the Government will consolidate the experience from running the "Old Town Central" programme and the Food Truck Pilot Project that I have mentioned just now so that improvements can be made in the future. In particular, I hope the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau can assist in coordinating different government bureaux and departments to optimize the use of Hong Kong's tourism resources.

I so submit, Chairman.