HK Launches "Hong Kong Salutes the World"

Home>>Life

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, December 08, 2001

HK Launches "Hong Kong Salutes the World"

More than 300 top travel executives and media guests from around the world were given a rousing welcome to Hong Kong Saturday by Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and other senior officials at a Government House reception.

The global trade and media delegation has come to Hong Kong at the invitation of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for a five-day familiarization program designed to show them that Hong Kong offers more attractions, more excitement and better value than ever as a world class destination.

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Hong Kong is already the world's 14th most popular destination, with no other city destination ranking higher. WTO projections forecast that visitors to Hong Kong will rise from the present 13 million a year to 22.5 million by 2010 and a remarkable 56 million by 2020.

Extending welcome to the delegation, Tung reiterated the importance of tourism to Hong Kong's economy and the government's strong commitment to tourism development.

During the next five years more than 2 billion U.S. dollars would be invested in a series of major tourism infrastructure and redevelopment projects, he pledged.