Parking Support for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Despite the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was opened to traffic in October 2018, there were no dedicated parking lots in the plan for coaches in the Hong Kong Port. In view of this concern, I have repeatedly proposed to the Government to set up dedicated parking lots for coaches. The Government accepted my proposal as well as the opinions of our members. On 12 July 2019, the Highways Department invited tenders for the second phase and other projects for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. It is proposed that additional pick-up and drop-off points for cross-boundary coaches, shuttle buses and franchised buses will be constructed at the public transport interchanges on the north and south sides of the Hong Kong Port.

 

 

Passenger Drop-off and Parking Areas at the Avenue of Stars

After years of renovation, the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui was finally reopened at the end of January 2019. In order to introduce to our members some new facilities, parking lots for tour buses, and the tour group meeting points after the renovation work, representatives of the industry were arranged to visit the Avenue of Stars for field inspections and idea exchanges on 26 January 2019 with the assistance of New World Development Company Limited.

 

 

 

Traffic Problems in To Kwa Wan

In recent years, a large number of mainland inbound tour groups gathered in To Kwa Wan and caused traffic problems while blocking some main streets in the district. In addition to performing some on-site inspections, I also suggested to the Panel on Home Affairs that the Bailey Street carpark should be put in good use as far as practicable. In order to reduce the situation of passengers and buses staying in the streets, the carpark can be used as passenger pick-up and drop-off points as well as waiting points. Such an arrangement can help alleviate the traffic congestion and safety problems in the area.

 

 

 

Impacts of Mainland Tours on the Local Community

As many mainland tour groups will come to Hong Kong for activities like shopping, dining, and riding on sightseeing boats, the transportation, health and residents' daily life in the local community can be affected. In this regard, I have raised questions on 16 January and 22 May 2019 to urge the Government to strengthen cooperation with various parties. In particular, I raised suggestions such as diverting some tour groups to The Boxes for meals and assigning tourist police to assist tourists in order to relieve the influence of the Mainland tour groups and the possible conflicts between the tourists and our local residents. With the cooperation of members of the industry and relevant Government departments, a series of mitigation measures were formulated. Some encouraging achievements were also made.

 

2019/3/12 - Raised Suggestions in the Newspaper Column of "Yiu's Lookout", Oriental Daily News

Sightseeing Arrangements at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Opening of the East Island

The early days of the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge brought a tourism boom to the bridge and resulted in excessive tourist flow and traffic in the Tung Chung urban area. Apart from affecting the traffic, environmental hygiene, and the residents' lives, the situation also exposed the phenomenon of cross-border tour groups organized by unlicensed travel agents in the Mainland. To this end, I actively and closely communicated with frontline members of the industry and the Tourism Commission in order to find solutions:

1. To control unlicensed travel agents through administrative measures of the tourism department in the Mainland, in which inbound tour groups must be passed to travel agents and tourist guides in Hong Kong;
    
2. Suggested to the responsible authorities in the Mainland on the opening of the artificial island on the east of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for tourism purposes;
    
3. Recommended Hong Kong to develop a panoramic tour route of the bridge and set up observation decks in country parks for tourists to view the bridge from multiple angles. Apart from diverting tourists in Tung Chung, such an arrangement can also enrich the tourists' experience through providing additional routes;
    
4. Strengthened law enforcement and prosecution against the tour groups organized by unlicensed travel agents. With the efforts of all parties, the situation of illegal inbound tours was quickly resolved.

 

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority announced in early 2019 that a global tendering exercise has been conducted for the opening of tourism function of the Eastern Artificial Island. With the opening of the East Island as a new tourist attraction just around the corner, the traffic congestion and safety problems can be eased.

 

2018/10/30 ‧ Communicated with the Travel Industry Personnel Association on issues facing Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge tour and tourist guides.

 

 

Sent a letter to the responsible departments in Zhuhai in recommending the opening tourism functions of the East Island

 

Concerns about Issues of Public Toilets

On February 14, 2019, I wrote to the Financial Secretary and recommended that the locations for refurbishing public toilets should be expedited. A reply from the Government was received on 19 February 2019, stating that the proposals would be forwarded to relevant Government departments for follow-up.

 

   

This year's Budget proposes that over HKD$600 million would be allocated to renovate about 240 public toilets in the next five years. It was estimated that work would first begin in 40 public toilets. Based on this information, I asked the relevant departments at the Special Finance Committee meeting of LegCo on 11 April 2019 on how new technology and equipment would be used in public toilets in order to enhance Hong Kong's international image. Meanwhile, I also inquired whether there would be more room for improvement in the salaries and remuneration of cleaners? I hoped that my inquiries would help the Government to speed up the progress and quality of giving a new and positive image to public toilets in Hong Kong.

 

2019/4 ‧ Hung banners in various districts to urge the Government to speed up renovation works in public toilets

 

 

Concerns for Smart Tourism – Airport

The airport is a cutting-edge and experimental field in using smart tourism technology.  In recent years, the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has actively applied new technology in its operation. I welcome the airport to use the various world-leading technologies in order to enhance the passengers' experience while improving the competitiveness of the HKIA. I hope that the airport's experience in using technology can be extended to other tourist facilities and attractions. By doing so, Hong Kong can realize its goals of smart city and smart tourism in no time.

 

The HKIA has launched and planned to implement a number of smart measures, including:

• 5G network: preparatory works are underway to apply 5G technology to airport operations
• Use application technologies including big data analytics, digital twin, and virtual reality ("VR") to manage passenger flow.
• Improve efficiency through robotics technology and automation: automate the work of transporting inbound luggage, apply robotics technology to some cleaning tasks and environmental monitoring in airport terminals.
• Analyse big data through artificial intelligence technology and provide real-time and predictive analysis, so that the airport staff can more effectively manage flight departure and arrival, baggage handling and in-flight catering services.

 

 

Local Shipping Development

According to “The Development Plan for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” (The Plan) announced in February 2019, Hong Kong ’s position as an international aviation hub in the Greater Bay Area is supported by the Central Government. In view of this arrangement, Hong Kong ’s shipping industry needs to seize the opportunities and continue to develop. Earlier this year, the Transport and Housing Bureau has signed a memorandum with the Civil Aviation Administration of China to implement the expansion of shipping arrangements between Hong Kong and the Mainland. To this end, I asked the Government about implementing The Plan and specific work plans for the memorandum at different LegCo meetings. I also suggested the Government to further expand check-in services at 15 locations in the Pearl River Delta region and inquired whether the Government has sufficient shipping professionals to meet the manpower requirements of the three-runway system after it has put into operation in 2024.

 

 

Water Taxis

In August 2018, the Transport Department proposed to launch the "water taxis" that provide circular route service in the Victoria Harbour. The service is expected to operate in 2020 the earliest. Apart from urging the Government to launch the "water taxi" service as soon as possible, I also stressed the importance of liaising closely with the tourism industry. By promptly launching the implementation schedule of the plan, including specific routes and berthing docks, Hong Kong will soon have another brand-new tourism project that attracts tourists from around the world.

 

 

West Kowloon Cultural District

With the official operation of the West Kowloon Station of the High Speed Rail and the completion of facilities in the West Kowloon Cultural District, I reminded the Government to formulate a contingency plan to handle large-scale activities and set reasonable charges for coach parking lots in the West Kowloon Cultural District in order to avoid potential traffic problems.

 

 

 

Worked with Lantau Development Alliance in Developing Tourism Items Such as Conservation and Recreation in Lantau

With unique and precious tourism resources, developing green tourism is a major trend for Lantau. On 11 January 2019, I met with the Lantau Development Alliance with Hon Frankie Yick, Hon Holden Chow, and officers of the Sustainable Lantau Office. After listening to the suggestions of the Alliance on the "Lantau Conservation Fund", we exchanged some views on the matter. I agree that the development on Lantau should focus on the aspects of conservation, recreation and tourism. By working out a comprehensive plan on sustainable development, I hope the public and more tourists can fully enjoy the unique features of Lantau Island.

 

Fanling Golf Course

In February 2019, the Government announced the partial resumption of Fanling Golf Course, which involved 32 hectares of land for housing. As the golf course possesses precious cultural relics and rare animal and plant species, I urge the Government to consider the impact of the decision on wildlife, monuments, and sports development in Hong Kong. Rather than changing the principle due to pressure, the proposal of turning the resumed or partially-resumed land of the golf course for residential purposes should be carefully considered. Careful planning can also avoid permanent damage to the site.

 

 

Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Port

To avoid regional traffic congestion and cope with the increase in inbound and outbound passenger flows, I submitted a written inquiry to the Government and asked the relevant departments to give information on the latest progress in the port construction project and the estimated daily number of passengers and vehicles at the port. I also urged the Government to liaise closely with the tourism industry during the early stage of port opening in order to enable the assessment on the traffic and passenger flow.

 

Anti-terrorist Arrangements at New Border Checkpoint

In recent years, a number of border control points have been completed and opened. Such control points include High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and the Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. expected to be completed and opened in 2019. The new developments have increased the passenger flow between Hong Kong, the Mainland, and Macau. Currently, around 140,000 passenger throughputs are processed on an average day. Since I am concerned about the Government's anti-terrorist strategies at the important infrastructures that support tourism, I inquired the Government about the latest security arrangements in preventing criminals from taking advantage and protecting Hong Kong's reputation as the safest city in the world.