HONG KONG: THE FACTS
Tourism
The tourism industry is a major pillar of the economy of Hong Kong. In 2012, it contributed to 4.7 per cent of Hong Kong’s GDP. It employs around 250 900 persons, accounting for 6.9 per cent of total employment.
In 2013, visitor arrivals registered an increase of 12 per cent over 2012 to 54.3 million. In the first eight months of 2014, visitor arrivals increased by 12.3 percent over the same period of 2013. The Mainland continued to be the largest source market with 31.0 million arrivals in the first eight months of 2014, representing an increase of 16 per cent and accounting for 77.6 per cent of total visitor arrivals.
Accommodation and Length of Stay: By end August 2014, Hong Kong had 236 hotels, with 71 887 rooms. Total room supply increased by 2 693 rooms or 3.9 percent than in August 2013, whilst the average occupancy rate edged up from 89 percent to 90 percent in the first eight months as compared with the same period last year. The average length of stay of overnight visitors in 2013 was 3.4 nights. To enhance the competitiveness of the hotel industry and entice visitors to lengthen their stay, the Hotel Accommodation Tax has been waived since July 1, 2008. The Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to promote hotel development to meet the diversified needs of our visitors. For example, a number of sites in different parts of Hong Kong have been designated for “hotel only” site. There are also initiatives to allow conversion of old industrial buildings and re-vitalisation of heritage buildings into hotels. Apart from the above measures, the Government endeavours to explore the feasibility of gradually releasing the six sites within the “hotel belt” of the Kai Tak Runway Precinct to the market starting from the end of next year (2015) with a view to attracting more high value-added visitors to Hong Kong.
Tourism Commission: The Tourism Commission (TC) was established in May 1999 to coordinate within government various tourism development efforts and to provide policy support and leadership to the development of tourism in Hong Kong.
The Commission’s objective is to establish and promote Hong Kong as Asia’s premier international city, and a world-class destination for leisure and business visitors.
To fulfil this mission, it is essential for the trade and the Government to work closely together. The Tourism Strategy Group, comprising representatives from the Government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and various sectors of the tourism industry, advises the Government on tourism development from a strategic perspective.
International Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Capital: The Government strives to enhance the appeal of Hong Kong as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital. The HKTB set up a dedicated office, entitled Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK), in November 2008. Additional fund is earmarked for MEHK to raise Hong Kong’s MICE (meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions) profile and strengthen support to MICE events to be hosted in Hong Kong. In the first half of 2014, there were some 895 000 overnight MICE visitor arrivals to Hong Kong, an impressive increase of 23.4 per cent over the same period last year.
Hong Kong’s main venues for MICE events are the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) near the airport, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in the heart of the city, and the Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay. In 2013, both HKCEC and AWE have been again listed in the top three ‘Best Convention and Exhibition Centre’ in the CEI Asia Industry Awards organised by CEI Asia, a prominent MICE publication.
In 2008, Hong Kong became the first duty-free wine port among major economies. It was also chosen for the publication of a Michelin guide, which reinforced Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia’s culinary capital. To further showcase Hong Kong as a premier destination for visitors to enjoy fine wine and cuisine, the HKTB has since 2009 organised the "Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival" and launched a variety of food and wine promotions together with major dining districts. In 2014, the Festival will be held at the former Kai Tak Runway and will again offer participants an attractive combination of fine wines, culinary delights and live entertainment.
Tourist Attractions and Facilities: The Government continues to develop a wide range of diversified tourist attractions in Hong Kong with a view to enhancing Hong Kong’s overall attractiveness as a premier tourist destination.
With the completion of its Master Redevelopment Plan in mid-2012, Ocean Park is now a world-class marine-themed park featuring more than 80 attractions. To further enhance its overall attractiveness and receiving capacity, Ocean Park has embarked on developing an all-weather indoor cum outdoor waterpark at Tai Shue Wan which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2017. Besides, it has planned to build two hotels within the Park, of which the construction of the Ocean Hotel is expected to be completed in 2017.
Regarding the Hong Kong Disneyland, further to the completion of its three-part expansion project in 2013, the Hong Kong Disneyland will unleash a series of brand new initiatives, including the new night time parade "Disney Paint the Night" launched in October 2014, the 10th Anniversary Celebration in 2015, a new themed area based on Marvel’s Iron Man franchise by late 2016, and a new hotel with a theme dedicated to the spirit of exploration in early 2017.
The Hong Kong Wetland Park, opened in May 2006, is a world-class conservation, education and tourism facility. It consists of a 60-hectare outdoor wetland reserve and a 10 000 square metres visitor centre with three exhibition galleries. As a major green tourism facility, it blends well with the surrounding.
