Budget Speech

Tourism

104.    We strive to develop Hong Kong into a world-class premier tourism destination to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the industry.

105.    I will allocate an additional $396 million to the tourism industry in the new financial year, of which $226 million will be provided for the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry released by the Tourism Commission last year.

106.    The Development Blueprint sets out four development strategies, namely (1) to develop a diversified portfolio of visitor source markets for Hong Kong, with a focus on attracting high value-added overnight visitors; (2) to nurture and develop tourism products and initiatives with local and international characteristics; (3) to develop smart tourism; and (4) to upgrade the service quality of our tourism industry.  Highlights include:

(a) supporting the trade in exploring tourism business opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative, the development of the Bay Area, as well as the commissioning of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) and the HZMB, including organising a tourism forum under the themes of the Belt and Road and the Bay Area with a business matching conference in collaboration with the HKTB;
(b) providing new experience for visitors by incorporating design elements and making use of I&T application as well as light and art installations that blend with district characteristics at major tourist spots;
(c) promoting green tourism by enhancing supporting facilities at popular hiking trails and those with good tourism potentials; and
(d) allocating an additional funding of $30 million to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong for enhancing the Pilot Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme for Travel Agents.

107.    I will also allocate a total of $310 million in the next few years to support the Ocean Park in developing education and tourism projects.  For the benefits of local students, the Ocean Park will distribute 10 000 complimentary admission tickets to primary and secondary school students in the coming year.

 

 

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