Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13
Question : The Lantau Working Group (the former body of Lantau Economic Development Alliance (LEDA)), comprising representatives from many tourists sports, theme parks, Island District Council, hotels and various trades, has submitted a comprehensive planning proposal for tourism development in Lantau Island to the Administration on many occasions. The Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development has also conducted a site visit to examine how the long stretches of roads which are closed to the public on Lantau Island hindered its tourism development and called for improvement proposals from the departments concerned. Yet, to date, the Administration has not put forward any concrete improvement proposal or a comprehensive plan for tourism development at Lantau Island. Has the Administration made any provision for a study on or a plan to implement the LEDA’s proposal for comprehensive planning of tourism development in Lantau Island in the new financial year? If yes, what is the plan and estimated expenditure? If not, what are the reasons? Asked by : Hon. TSE Wai-chun, Paul Reply : Tourism development of Lantau is always high on the agenda of the Government. On the issue of closed roads, it should be pointed out that South Lantau is a conservation area. The Transport Department (TD) has implemented traffic management measures in South Lantau to protect this area from being damaged and ensure its long-term sustainable development. These measures include introducing closed roads and restricting the number of vehicles with access to South Lantau. Upon the completion of improvement works on Tung Chung Road in February 2009, TD has suitably relaxed the restrictions on vehicle access to South Lantau via Tung Chung Road. To cater for major tourism events, TD has exercised flexibility in allowing more coaches to gain access to South Lantau on the event date. The above measures aim to strike a balance between promoting South Lantau’s tourism development and protecting its natural environment. TD will review, from time to time, the prevailing condition of the traffic and public transport facilities on Lantau and make appropriate adjustments in the light of the different development needs of Lantau. Lantau has always been one of Hong Kong’s tourist hotspots. The Government has developed a number of infrastructure projects and attractions on Lantau, including the Hong Kong Disneyland, AsiaWorld-Expo, Terminal 2 of the Hong Kong International Airport, Ngong Ping Cable Car, Ngong Ping Piazza and Wisdom Path, etc. A number of new tourism facilities will come into operation on Lantau in the next few years. The expansion of the Hong Kong Disneyland is proceeding smoothly. Three new themed areas are expected to be completed by 2013, with the first one (Toy Story Land) opened in November last year. A heritage boutique hotel converted from the Old Tai O Police Station has just opened. The Civil Engineering and Development Department is carrying out improvement works in Tai O in phases, and is embarking on the detailed design for a project to beautify Mui Wo. A new hotel with convention facilities in Discovery Bay is expected to commence operation in mid-2012. The Government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and major attractions on Lantau are committed to enhancing the tourism appeal of the island through cooperation. Our strategy is to develop itineraries featuring different attractions on Lautau to achieve greater synergy. For instance, itineraries including the Ngong Ping Cable Car and sites of historical and cultural interest such as the Tai O fishing village and the Po Lin Monastery have been developed to attract tourists interested in natural landscape and cultural heritage. The HKTB also actively promotes Mui Wo as the starting point for exploring Lantau. Tourists are advised to go to Mui Wo by ferry and then take a bus to attractions such as the Po Lin Monastery, Giant Buddha, Ngong Ping Piazza and Ngong Ping Village. To further promote Lantau’s tourism appeal, the Tourism Commission, the HKTB, Islands District Council and New World First Ferry Services Limited jointly launched a publicity campaign in August 2011. The campaign includes the publication of a guidebook for outlying islands (featuring tourism highlights of the different outlying islands), the launch of an Island Hopping Pass (to enable tourists to travel to outlying islands on ferry trips at concessionary fares), and arrangements with shops and restaurants on outlying islands to offer dining and shopping discounts to visitors. The second edition of the guidebook will be released this year. On the other hand, there is frequent collaboration among the operators of tourist attractions on Lantau. For example, when the "River of Wisdom – Animated Version of Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" Exhibition was held in the AsiaWorld-Expo in November 2010, exhibition ticket holders could enjoy a discount for riding the Ngong Ping Cable Car. In April and May last year, the Ngong Ping Cable Car paired up with Hong Kong Disneyland to offer admission discounts to visitors. In addition to leisure travel, Lantau enjoys competitive advantages in the development of Meetings, Incentive travels, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. The presence of large-scale convention and exhibition venues and numerous hotels can meet the needs of the different event organisers and visitors. To strengthen the promotion of Lantau as a MICE hub, the HKTB has successfully linked up all major attractions and venue providers on the Lantau Island to jointly launch a publicity campaign at end of September last year. The HKTB will organise a similar promotional campaign this year. In 2012-13, the HKTB will continue to work closely with the local travel trade to showcase the diverse tourism offerings of the island, including its attractions and greenery, to the travel trade, visitors and media worldwide. The costs for promoting Lantau has been subsumed in the marketing budget of the HKTB which is $349.8 million in 2012-13.
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