and a 10 000 square metres visitor centre with three exhibition galleries. As a major green tourism facility, it blends well with the surrounding.
Opened in September 2006, Ngong Ping 360 comprises a 5.7 km cableway ride lasting about 25 minutes, and a Buddhist themed village. The crystal cabin cable car ride launched in 2009 offers a spectacular panoramic view of the beautiful landscape of Lantau Island. Having visited the Buddhist themed village, visitors can proceed to visit the new Pai Lau, Bodhi Path, Di Tan and the Chinese landscaped garden in the 1.5-hectare Ngong Ping Piazza which was opened in August 2010, as well as the tourist attractions nearby, such as the Po Lin Monastery, Giant Buddha, and Wisdom Path. In addition, visitors can explore other intriguing parts of Lantau, including Tai O fish village and beautiful beaches on Southern Lantau.
The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a leading regional cruise hub, and is developing the new cruise terminal at Kai Tak in full swing. The terminal building and the first berth are expected to come into operation in mid-2013, and the second berth is expected to be completed in 2014. The HKTB will also continue to strengthen its promotion efforts and drive consumer demand for cruise tourism.
In addition, enhancement projects are implemented to give a facelift to the existing popular tourist areas. Completed projects include enhancement of the Sai Kung waterfront, minor improvements to Lei Yue Mun, enhancement of the Central and Western District including Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail, Visitor Signage Improvement Scheme, the Stanley Waterfront Improvement Project, the Peak Improvement Scheme, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade Beautification Project, the Transport Link in Tsim Sha Tsui East and the Avenue of Stars, which is a joint venture with the private sector. The construction works of the Aberdeen Tourism Project is expected to commence in late 2011 for phased completion between 2012 and 2014. The project scope includes improvement works for the promenade on both sides of the Aberdeen Harbour as well as Ap Lei Chau Main Street and adjacent streets, with the theme of a traditional fishermen's village. Projects in the pipeline include beautification of two footbridges in Tsim Sha Tsui East, development of a piazza at Tsim Sha Tsui and further enhancement of the facilities along Lei Yue Mun waterfront.
"A Symphony of Lights", a nightly show on both sides of the Victoria Harbour launched by the Commission in early 2004, is very well received by both visitors and locals. It was awarded the world's "Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show" by Guinness World Records. At present, there are 44 participating buildings.
Promotion of tourism is not simply about construction of new facilities. The Government has not lost sight of the fact that Hong Kong's traditional relics and assets, some of which date back six thousand years, offer visitors insight into the region's history. One fine example is the preservation and development of the former Marine Police Headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui into a tourism facility by the private sector, which is recently opened to the public as "1881 Heritage". To promote cultural tourism, the HKTB runs a Cultural Kaleidoscope cultural experience programme, which features activities ranging from Chinese cake-making to tai chi practice and architecture walk. A guidebook "Discover Hong Kong by Rail" has also been uploaded on its website www.discoverhongkong.com to promote the heritage sites and other attractions along the MTR East and West Rails. To facilitate visitors to experience Hong Kong's fascinating culture, culinary delights and unique heritage, the HKTB has launched the "Ding Ding Hong Kong Tram Guide", which highlights local attractions along the tramline. In addition, the HKTB continues to work with the trade to promote traditional Chinese customs and festivals, such as the Tin Hau Festival parade in Yuen Long and Cha Kwo Ling, Tam Kung Festival in Shaukeiwan, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival and the Birthday of Lord Buddha celebrations at Po Lin Monastery.These four traditional festivals were bundled under the "Hong Kong Cultural Celebrations" promotion in April and May 2010 and visitors were encouraged to take part in the celebrations in different districts.
Leveraging Hong Kong's ecological richness and diversity, the Commission is promoting green tourism in Northeast New Territories and outlying islands, having regard to the principles of nature conservation and sustainable development. The HKTB launched the "Great Outdoors Hong Kong!" in 2009 to promote the Hong Kong National Geopark, the natural scenery of outlying islands, popular hiking trails and other green attractions. Guided tours were provided free of charge and participants were given a specially designed guidebook. The HKTB also actively promotes cultural and arts activities in Hong Kong, such as the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong International Film Festival and large-scale arts exhibitions in various local museums, so as to attract more tourists to Hong Kong. To introduce to visitors Hong Kong's arts and cultural attractions in different districts, the HKTB published "A Guide to Hong Kong Arts and Culture" in the second quarter of 2010. Moreover, the Commission, in collaboration with the HKTB, has joined hands with performing arts groups and the tourism sector to leverage on arts and cultural products to enrich visitors' nightlife and travel experience.
Standards and Performance: Apart from making available a wide range of attractions to enrich visitors' experience, it is equally important to enhance the standard of service offered. The Travel Agents Ordinance puts in place a licensing regime to regulate travel agents who provide inbound and outbound travel services. To ensure the quality of service to visitors, tourist guides are required to complete prescribed training course and pass an examination. They have to observe the "Code of Conduct for Tourist Guides" issued by the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC). At present, we have 6 313 accredited tourist guides. As part of the efforts to help members of the travel agents trade to continuously upgrade their professional knowledge and quality of service, since mid-2006, the Government has subsidised a series of new specialised courses for them. By the end of July 2011, some 4 700 members of the travel agents trade have enrolled in the new courses. To further encourage tourist guides to continuously better equip themselves to meet new market challenges, in July 2007, the TIC introduced a Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPD Programme) for tourist guides. Tourist guides are required to fulfil the training requirements of the CPD Programme for renewal of Tourist Guide Pass. This aims to ensure the continuous enhancement of the quality of tourist guide service.
With rapid development of the tourism sector in recent years, the public is generally concerned with whether the existing regulatory framework of the tourism sector could evolve with changing circumstances. To ensure its sustainable and healthy development, the Government is reviewing the operation and regulatory framework of the tourism sector in Hong Kong, with a view to formulating a reform proposal that is effective, practicable and can foster a consensus amongst stakeholders. The proposal will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2011.
The HKTB continues to implement the Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme, which aims to enhance the overall service standards among retailers, restaurants, hair salons and visitor accommodations. The Scheme provides visitors with better service and quality assurance.
