Session No. 5 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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Question : Representatives of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) pointed out earlier at a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development (ED Panel) that the Government had not made “full” provisions for HKTB for the two years in a row. There has been an annual shortfall of $30 million over the past two years. Please explain the shortfall and advise whether it will be made up in 2010-11. The Estimates shows that the Government has earmarked $499.5 million for HKTB in 2010-11, which is about 0.4% less than the original and revised estimate for last year (i.e. 2009-10). The figure also differs from the estimated $367.9 million as provided by HKTB to ED Panel. Please explain these differences. Given that the neighbouring regions are actively developing the tourism sector, will the Government consider increasing the provision for HKTB to enable it to achieve its target of increasing our visitor arrivals by 5.2% in 2010? Asked by : Hon. FANG Kang, Vincent Reply : Each year, in deciding the financial provision for the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the Government carefully examines the HKTB’s annual business plan and budget. In addition to recurrent subvention, the Government will also consider providing the HKTB with non-recurrent additional funding for implementing specific marketing initiatives. In recent years, additional funding was provided to the HKTB for the promotion on the Beijing Olympics, the Meetings, Incentive Travels, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) business, the Wine and Dine Festival and the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Besides subvention from the Government, the HKTB’s funding sources also include commercial sponsorship and advertising income, which the HKTB will actively develop further. In addition, we encourage the HKTB to continuously re-engineer its work process, tap new sources of income, economise on expenditures, and adopt a prudent financial approach so as to ensure proper use of resources. In preparing its annual work plan, marketing strategies and projection of visitor arrivals , the HKTB has already taken into account the opportunities and challenges (including the tourism development in neighbouring regions) for Hong Kong’s tourism industry, as well as the resources available for the HKTB in the financial year. The amount of HK$367.9 million mentioned in the 2010-11 work plan submitted by the HKTB to the ED Panel is the estimated budget for its marketing activities. It is therefore different from the Government financial provision of HK$499.5 million shown in the Controlling Officer’s Report.
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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