Session No. 5 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2010-11
Question : The Increased provision of $1.7 million (17.3%) for 2010-11, as against the revised estimate for 2009-10, is mainly earmarked for creating one position of Political Assistant. While the tenure of all Political Assistants appointed as non-civil service contract staff under Accountability System in 2008 will end on 30 June 2012, which means half of the tenure has lapsed, when will the Administration confirm the candidate to be appointed? Please account for the purposes of the increased provision in the estimate. Asked by : Hon. LAU Kin-yee, Miriam Reply : The vacancy of the Political Assistant in the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau will be filled when a suitable candidate is identified. In the 2010-11 Estimates, a provision of $1.86 million has been earmarked under Head 152 for filling the position of Political Assistant.
Question : It is noted that Singapore has been developing tourism actively, and its competitiveness has increased with the completion of the Universal Studio Singapore and the Singapore Casino. On promoting Hong Kong’s tourism, has the Administration inject resources to study the feasibility of building a new theme park? If yes, what are the details of the study and the expenditure involved? If no, what are the reasons? Asked by : Hon. LAU Kin-yee, Miriam Reply : The Government attaches great importance to Hong Kong’s tourism development. In respect of tourist attractions, theme parks are a key factor bringing visitors to Hong Kong. At present, the expansion of our two theme parks, namely Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland, which will cost $5.55 billion and $3.63 billion respectively, are being implemented in full swing. The Master Redevelopment Plan of Ocean Park commenced in 2006. Upon completion in 2012, the Park’s attractions will be doubled from 35 to 70. Following the opening of “Amazing Asian Animals” and “Ocean Express” in 2009, new attractions, namely “Aqua City” and “Rainforest”, will be completed by the end of this year and early next year respectively. Meanwhile, Ocean Park is planning to develop three hotels in the Park, each with a distinctive theme, providing over 1 000 rooms. The expansion project of Hong Kong Disneyland started at the end of last year and is expected to be completed in phases before mid-2014. Three themed areas will be added to the park, with two of them being the first to be launched amongst Disney theme parks worldwide, and the other being the first amongst Disney theme parks within Asia. The expansion plan will enlarge the existing theme park by about 23% and add more than 30 new attractions, bringing the total to over 100. Apart from the above, the Government has been adopting a holistic strategy to enhance Hong Kong’s tourism appeal. Last year, the Noah’s Ark in Ma Wan, Hong Kong National Geopark and Former Marine Police Headquarters Historic Compound in Tsim Sha Tsui were opened. In mid-2010, construction works of the Ngong Ping Landscaped Piazza will be completed. We are also planning and implementing enhancement projects in Lei Yue Mun, Aberdeen and Tsim Sha Tsui. In respect of cruise tourism, construction for the new cruise terminal at Kai Tak began at the end of last year, and the first berth will commence operation in mid-2013. Currently, total public and private investment in tourism infrastructure amounts to $17 billion. In addition, we have been making every effort to attract more large-scale MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travels, Conventions and Exhibitions) and mega events to be staged in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Tourism Board established the “Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong” (MEHK) Office in November 2008 to strengthen promotion of Hong Kong as a premier MICE destination, provide one-stop professional support to MICE event organisers and enrich travel experience of MICE visitors. The Government has also set up the “Mega Events Fund” to support more arts, cultural and sports events to be held in Hong Kong. We note that a number of large-scale tourism facilities have been or will shortly be completed in Asia. With or without the addition of another theme park or resort in the region, Hong Kong must continue to bring in new attractions and strengthen existing ones, as well as constantly improve our service quality in response to market changes so as to meet the needs of our visitors. The Government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to promote our tourism development. We will also review our strategies from time to time so as to enhance our tourism competitiveness and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a premier travel destination in Asia. In 2010-11, the Tourism Commission will continue to employ existing manpower and resources to carry out this work.
Directory: citb -> doc doc -> 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 Download 4.7 Mb. Share with your friends:
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