New records set in visitor arrivals, spending
Hong Kong’s tourism industry has notched record-breaking results in 2007, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). Provisional figures show that total arrivals for 2007 have surpassed the 28 million mark, representing a more-than-10% increase compared to the same period in 2006.
The latest figures also show that the total expenditure associated with inbound tourism is likely to exceed US$16.66 billion, breaking the 2006 record of US$15.31 billion. Based on the current estimates, per-capita spending by overnight arrivals will be approximately US$653.84, compared with US$615.25 in 2006. The average per-capita spending for same-day in-town visitors is expected to increase to approximately US$141.02 in 2007 up from US$130.12 in 2006.
HKTB Chairman James Tien said that the 2007 results were testament to Hong Kong’s enduring appeal as a destination in the face of ever-growing competition.
“Last year, we received some excellent support from the government, the travel trade and all sectors of the community,” Mr Tien said. “We’re especially encouraged that besides the strong performance of mainland China, the growth was spread across different international markets, with all three long-haul regions exceeding their 2006 levels and many of our key source markets achieving their best results ever.
“The prospects for 2008 look positive, although we know we’re up against even more intense competition,” added Mr. Tien. “We’ll continue our effort to achieve a balance of visitors from all key markets, in keeping with Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan image, and grow the high-yield segments. We’ll also work closely with the travel trade, including our partners in the Mainland and Macau, to make Hong Kong an essential component in all combo and multi-destination itineraries.”
All market regions achieved positive gain in 2007. In particular, double-digit increases were registered for the regions of mainland China; Europe; Africa and the Middle East; and Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. Double-digit gains also were registered in the high-potential markets of South Korea and the Philippines, and such emerging markets as Russia and the Middle East.
New elements in Chinese New Year parade
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2008 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade. |
On February 7, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will present the 2008 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade to usher in the Year of the Rat.
The theme is “Riding High — Hong Kong Spectacular!”
The parade will follow a new route with specially designed floats, local and international performing groups and interactive elements that are sure to bring spectators an entertaining and memorable evening.
Chairman of the HKTB James Tien said that the Chinese New Year parade has become a successful and signature event of the festivities. “After more than a decade of promotions, the parade has become a ‘must-see’ for visitors coming to Hong Kong during the festival. The event, coupled with other New Year celebrations, will once again boast Hong Kong’s vibrant culture and attract tourists to come and experience the festive atmosphere.”
This parade marks the 13th staging and the 10th consecutive sponsorship by Cathay Pacific Airways. Chief Operating Officer of Cathay Pacific Airways John Slosar said: “Cathay Pacific is proud to be title sponsor of the International Chinese New Year Parade for the 10th consecutive year. As Hong Kong’s airline, it is part of our job to support events and attractions that make this city a more attractive place to live and a more exciting place to visit, and the parade is truly a world-class spectacle — one that highlights the color, tradition and magic of this great city.”
This year’s parade will feature a combination of 11 brightly illuminated floats and 12 overseas and 13 local performing groups, which epitomize Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan image. Among the participating groups from 11 countries and regions, 10 are participating for the first time. They include the Baltic Sea Group, El Sol de Espana (Spain), and Tahiti Ballet with Fire-Eater (Polynesia).
The new parade route will start at Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and will proceed along Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, then make a U-turn and end at New World Centre. Spectators will be able to get the best view of the parade from three designated performance zones set up along Salisbury Road.
Hong Kong wins meeting, convention award
Hong Kong has won the Best MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) City Award in the 2008 Industry Awards organized by CEI Asia Pacific Magazine. Leading to the win were Hong Kong’s professional and quality services, strategic location as the gateway city of mainland China and strong network of Chinese and international buyers. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) also was voted one of the best NTOs (National Tourism Organizations) providing support services for convention and tourism.
Chairman of the HKTB James Tien said that the awards were the accomplishment of a concerted effort by the government and the travel trade.
“The awards recognized our world-class conferences support services and ascertain Hong Kong’s attractiveness for conferences, exhibitions and corporate events (corporate meetings and incentive groups) although we’re up against intense competition in the region,” said Mr. Tien.
“In 2007, many international corporations and organizations have chosen Hong Kong for their meetings and events. Developing MICE segment continues to be HKTB’s strategic focus in 2008. More resources will be allocated to develop corporate event business, especially in high-potential markets such as mainland China and India. The HKTB will also continue to work closely with the government and travel trade to strengthen Hong Kong’s appeal as the capital for conference and exhibition,” added Mr. Tien.
CEI Asia Pacific Magazine organizes the MICE industry awards every year. This year, it commissioned leading global market information provider TNS to conduct online surveys from November 2007 onward and to collect views and opinions of CEI Asia Pacific readers from more than 13 countries. Among survey participants, about 48% chose Hong Kong as their favorite city for conferences and conventions while 35% voted the city as the top choice for meetings and incentive destinations. In addition, 22% of the vote went to HKTB for providing professional support services for conventions and tourism.
CEI Asia Pacific is the region's leading publication for the convention, exhibition and incentive travel industry. It provides the latest industry news, covers corporate meetings, incentive events, conferences and exhibitions and conducts case studies of regional events. The publication is distributed monthly and has the highest circulation among magazines in the same sector.
New technology improves baggage handling
As part of its ongoing commitment to enhance operational efficiency and customer service, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) officials announced that all of the airport’s check-in counters can now print integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) baggage tags. The new tags, which combine an embedded RFID chip with a barcode, are replacing barcode-only baggage tags on an airline-by-airline basis.
The new tags offer many benefits. Unlike barcode-only tags that require the scanner to be in close proximity to the tag, RFID tags can be read from a distance and at an angle. RFID tags also can be read more quickly, contain more data and are more reliable, with read-rates of 97% versus an average of 80% for the barcode-only tags.
Check-in counters in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of HKIA, in-town check-in desks in Kowloon Station and Hong Kong Station of Airport Express, upstream check-in facilities in the Pearl River Delta, and all of HKIA's baggage-handling and sorting systems now employ the new technology. About 40,000 bags, 90% of all departing bags, from around 50 airlines use the new baggage tags each day.
HKIA is one of the first airports to introduce RFID technology, which it uses in conjunction with a barcode-based system. A total of US$6.41 million has been invested initially in the infrastructure. HKIA’s baggage-handling system, which is among the most sophisticated in the industry, operates around the clock and manages an average of 110,000 pieces of luggage for departing, arriving and transfer passengers each day. While individual airlines are responsible for passengers’ baggage, the Airport Authority provides advanced, efficient technology and a reliable service platform for airlines to manage the baggage-handling process.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has endorsed RFID-based baggage handling as a way of simplifying airport procedures. The IATA predicts that worldwide implementation of RFID-based baggage handling could result in annual savings of US$760 million for the industry, and several international airports are now implementing RFID technology in their baggage-handling systems.
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