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The opening of Hong Kong
Disneyland — the first Disney theme
park in China — on September 12
strengthened Hong Kong's position as Asia's
most popular city tourist destination.
It also helped reposition Hong Kong as
the premier family destination in the
region.
Hong Kong Disneyland
is divided into four areas with different
themes and it also has two Disney-themed
hotels with a total of 1 000 rooms.
The number of visitors is expected to
reach 5.6 million in its first year of
operation and, over the next 40 years,
the theme park is expected to bring in
net economic benefits worth $148 billion.
Exciting attractions popular among visitors
within the region will be added to ensure
that the park will continue to attract
new and repeat visitors.
Beyond Disneyland, the
Government is committed to building on
Hong Kong's appeal as a tourist destination
through the development of major new tourist
attractions and the enhancement of existing
facilities:
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The 'Wisdom
Path', a large outdoor carving of
a Chinese calligraphy masterpiece
by the renowned scholar Professor
Jao Tsung I features the Prajna Paramita
Hrdaya Sutra. The sutra, carved on
38 wooden logs, is at the foot of
Lantau Peak, near Ngong Ping. The
project was completed in May 2005; |
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A Symphony
of Lights, first launched in January
2004, has been very well received
by both visitors and locals. It was
named the world's 'Largest Permanent
Light and Sound Show' by Guinness
World Records in November 2005, accredited
on the basis of the 20 buildings on
Hong Kong Island jointly performing
in a fully synchronised light and
sound show every night. The show was
extended to Kowloon in December covering
33 buildings on both sides of Victoria
Harbour; |
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Ngong Ping
360, comprising Ngong Ping Skyrail
and Ngong Ping Village, is expected
to open in mid 2006. Visitors will
go on a 'journey of enlightenment'
— a 20-minute trip on the Ngong
Ping Skyrail with its spectacular
panoramic view of the South China
Sea and the natural scenery of Lantau
plus a visit to Ngong Ping Village
where they can sample the traditional
and cultural delights of the Ngong
Ping area. The project complements
the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha
which are already popular among locals
and tourists; |
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The Hong Kong
Wetland Park at Tin Shui Wai is also
expected to open in mid 2006. The
park will be Hong Kong's first major
ecotourism facility and is expected
to attract over 500 000 nature
lovers a year; |
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Following a
government-commissioned study which
confirmed the need for additional
cruise terminal facilities, the Government
invited Expressions of Interest from
the market in late 2005. Six suggestions
were received and an inter-departmental
working group will examine them; |
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The Government
is also working with Ocean Park to
implement its redevelopment plans
which aim to turn the 28-year-old
park into a world-class marine-themed
attraction. Construction work will
be carried out in phases with Phase
1 targeted for completion in 2008
and Phase 2 in 2010. The funding arrangement
has been approved by the Finance Committee
of the Legislative Council; |
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Construction
of the heritage tourism development
at the former Marine Police Headquarters
compound in Tsim Sha Tsui started
in March 2004. This project will preserve,
restore and convert the compound's
historic buildings into a development
designed to encourage local residents
and visitors alike to appreciate Hong
Kong's unique cultural heritage. It
is the first project of its kind to
involve the private sector. The successful
bidder plans to turn the site into
a heritage hotel, with food and beverage
outlets, and retail facilities. The
project is expected to be completed
in 2008; |
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The Government
is taking forward a green tourism
development programme in the Northern
New Territories to diversify Hong
Kong's attractions as a premier tourist
destination. The programme's pilot
project in the Plover Cove and Tolo
Channel area includes enhancement
of basic facilities, promotion of
an island-hopping itinerary, and complementary
conservation and education initiatives.
The basic improvement works were scheduled
to start early 2006 and will be completed
in 2007, while a trial scheme on the
proposed island-hopping tour will
be launched by Hong Kong Tourism Board
in the second half of 2006. The Government
is also considering the promotion
of green tourism in Tung Ping Chau
under the principle of sustainable
development; |
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The Government
continues to implement the Tourism
District Enhancement Programme in
order to enhance and sustain Hong
Kong's appeal as a premier tourist
destination. The completed projects
include improvement of the Sai Kung
and Lei Yue Mun waterfront, the Central
and Western District Enhancement Project,
and the Avenue of Stars which is a
joint venture with the private sector.
Beautification works for the Tsim
Sha Tsui Promenade and Stanley waterfront
are in progress and will be completed
in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Work
on the Peak Improvement Scheme and
a new transport link in Tsim Sha Tsui
East have started and will be completed
in 2007. Projects being planned include
the Aberdeen Tourism Project which
complements the redevelopment plan
of Ocean Park, further enhancement
of the facilities along Lei Yue Mun
waterfront and the development of
a piazza at Tsim Sha Tsui; and |
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As part of
the Government's strategy to broaden
the range of Hong Kong tourism products,
the Government has commissioned a
consultancy to examine the development
of spa and resort facilities in Hong
Kong. The public consultation on the
initial findings of the study was
held from April to May 2005. The final
consultancy report is expected to
be completed in early 2006. The study
is expected to both form a solid basis
and provide information for the market
to take forward the development of
spa and resort facilities in Hong
Kong. |
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