Hong Kong must develop more attractions, improve facilities and develop different types of tourism to promote tourism industry, Financial Secretary Antony Leung said in the 2002-03 budget speech delivered Wednesday.
He said Hong Kong plans to build a new international exhibition center at the Airport in addition to the existing first-class convention and exhibition facilities to attract more business visitors.
Meanwhile, Ocean Park is introducing new attractions, and the construction of Hong Kong Disneyland is progressing well, he said,adding that these theme parks, as well as the proposed Tung Chung cable car project on Lantau Island, will help cater for family tourism.
Leung also stressed that Hong Kong has a good foundation for the development of ecotourism and cultural tourism as Hong Kong is endowed with scenic country parks, hiking trails and nature conservation areas and is a city where east meets west.
Last year, over 13.7 million visitors came to Hong Kong, with those from the Mainland registering a strong growth of over 17 percent. Leung expressed its confidence in the speech that Hong Kong will remain the first choice for many with the rebound of tourism in Asia.
( Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2002)
