Hong Kong Tourism News [Archive]

Isan

July 29th, 2004, 03:17 PM

22 July 2004

Hong Kong Disneyland today officially welcomed famed entertainer Jacky Cheung into the Disneyland family, naming the celebrity as the official Spokesperson for the Theme Park. As Spokesperson, Cheung will bring the magic of Disneyland Parks and Disney stories to the people of Hong Kong and Asia.

Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing Director Don Robinson praised Cheung, "Jacky Cheung is a household name in Hong Kong and across Asia. He is a true gentleman, a man who has brought happiness to millions through his remarkable music, his outstanding film acting, his exceptional theatrical performances, and, most of all, through his generous spirit, his devotion to family and his many works for charity. He stands for everything that makes Disney so special - its unique brand of quality entertainment, its family values and its ability to touch people all over the world."

At the same event, Hong Kong Disneyland Vice President Marketing and Sales Roy Tan Hardy explained the Spokesperson's role and its importance to Hong Kong Disneyland. "Throughout Disney's history, from Walt Disney to current executives, the role of Spokesperson has been vital to what our company stands for -- as the public face for our unique brand of family entertainment. Hong Kong Disneyland's Spokesperson will be especially important. He will help us connect with new audiences in Asia - a new part of the world for Disneyland -- by introducing our values and heritage, the magic of Disneyland and the worlds of fun, fantasy and adventure inside our Theme Park."

"I have always hoped that Hong Kong will become better and better," Cheung said. "When Disney announced that it would open a Theme Park here in Hong Kong, I was indeed excited - this was something that we all very much look forward to. It is a great honor to be Hong Kong Disneyland's Spokesperson and I am thrilled to be a part of the Disney family, especially now that I have a child. I really hope that my family will have more fun places to visit, and more memorable experiences together. As Disney's first flagship theme park in China, I wish Hong Kong Disneyland the greatest success."

YelloPerilo

July 29th, 2004, 03:49 PM

How much is worldwide visitors? Is there an increase or decrease?
Well I think the first few years after the relaxation of travel restrictions does help Hong Kong on tourism, the advantage of Hong Kong is near. But going too many times does boring. And also mainlanders are going to have more and more choice to go to other cities in the world, Hong Kong has to keep the attractive point, and increase more attractive things. Disneyland sure is good, but other cities can do that too, I hope more development and world exhibitions can be held in Hong Kong.

Well, you don't have to worry about that. The number of Chinese from the Mainland who can afford to travel to Hongkong is increasing at an amazing rate. With over 200 Million and still growing middle-class consumers it will take decades till everyone has visited HK more than once. :)

Isan

August 3rd, 2004, 06:22 AM

2 August 2004

Hong Kong visitor arrivals passed the 10 million mark at the year’s halfway stage for the first time, totalling 10,012,618 from January to June 2004. This is 68.3% ahead of the same period in 2003, almost 10 percentage points clear of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s (HKTB) half-year growth forecast of 58.6%.

This achievement follows another strong performance in June when Hong Kong welcomed 1,646,530 arrivals, the highest June figure on record. This represents a 127.0% increase on the June 2003 result, when Hong Kong was still listed as a Sars-affected area, and 40.2% growth on the June 2002 figure, which provides a more meaningful benchmark as 2002 was a record year for the industry.

HKTB Executive Director Clara Chong commented that the six-month performance was highly encouraging on a number of fronts. “Firstly, we are now seeing steady growth across almost all markets, both long-haul and short-haul,” she explained. “We had not expected the three long-haul markets to regain their 2002 levels until the third quarter of the year, but all of them have already now achieved that. Even Japan, though it has not yet returned to 2002 levels, is making more progress every month and has exceeded our half-year targets.

“Secondly, we were not expecting to pass the 10 million milestone until sometime in July,” Ms Chong added. “When you consider it was only in 1995 that we reached 10 million arrivals in a full year for the first time, it is really a remarkable achievement to reach the same landmark within half that time just nine years later.”

“Last but not least, this result keeps Hong Kong well on track to reach its goal of 20.5 million arrivals for the full year, which would be another important milestone. Arrivals in the second half of the year are always a little higher than in the first, so we are reasonably confident of achieving this aggressive target, so long as no unforeseen external factors arise.”

Analysis by Markets, June and first half of 2004

June is traditionally one of the quieter months for Hong Kong tourism and this year’s total of 1,646,530 visitor arrivals surpasses the previous best June figure, recorded in 2002, by more than 470,000. The cumulative January to June total of 10,012,618 also sets new records, representing 68.3% growth over the same period in 2003 and 33.4% growth over the 2002 figure.

Mainland China was again the largest contributor with 867,445 June arrivals, increases of 84.3% and 104.7% respectively over the same months in 2003 and 2002. Several major trade shows staged in Hong Kong during June, including ITE Hong Kong, Asia’s Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair and the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair, helped stimulate business traffic from this market, while leisure travel continued to benefit from the Individual Visit Scheme. Some 266,791 Mainland visitors during the month, 30.8% of the total, arrived as individuals from the 23 cities where this scheme had by then come into operation. Since 1 July, a further nine cities in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces have been added.

For the first six months of 2004, Hong Kong has now welcomed 5,668,131 Mainland visitors, a 75.2% increase over the first six months of 2003 and a 96.5% increase on the same period in 2002. This includes 1.60 million arrivals under the Individual Visit Scheme, 28.3% of the Mainland total.

June arrivals from The Americas regained their 2002 levels for the first time in four months, totalling 118,090 which is 304% above the June 2003 figure and 7.4% ahead of the 2002 result. Arrivals from the United States improved by 8.9% on the June 2002 performance and those from Canada by 14.9%. Consumer sentiment to travel overseas is picking up in the US, while awareness of Hong Kong has been increased by several recent major features on the destination in popular travel publications. Cumulatively, arrivals from The Americas in the first six months are 81.3% above the same period in 2003 and a modest 1.9% below those for 2002.

Arrivals from Europe, Africa & the Middle East continue to show steady growth over 2002 levels with June arrivals reaching 88,305, improvements of 179% and 3.7% respectively over the same months in 2003 and 2002. The United Kingdom (+13.2% ahead of June 2002) again led the way, boosted by an increase in air capacity, while among the smaller markets, South Africa (+43.5%) maintained its encouraging steady growth. For the first six months of 2004, total arrivals from this region are 80.4% ahead of the same period in 2003 and 8.2% above those of 2002.

Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific region is also showing steady positive growth and recorded 41,775 June arrivals, a 257% increase on June 2003 and 28.4% increase on the 2002 figure. For the first six months of 2004 overall, arrivals stand at 80.6% ahead of those for 2003 and 10.9% above 2002.

South & Southeast Asia produced its strongest performance so far this year with 186,500 June arrivals, 281% more than in June 2003 and 18.9% ahead of the 2002 figure. Thailand (+41.5%), Singapore (+27.4%), Malaysia (+24.5%) and India (+19.1%) all showed significant growth compared with June 2002, due in part to some highly attractive air fares and packages on offer. Total arrivals for this region in the first six months of 2004 now stand at 95.8% ahead of the same period in 2003 and 5.1% ahead of 2002.

Arrivals from North Asia totalled 129,827 in June, 261% above the June 2003 figure but 6.8% below that of 2002. South Korea (+36.3% compared with June 2002) continues to show strong positive growth while arrivals from Japan (–18.8%) remain below 2002 levels, although the gap has steadily narrowed by some 20 percentage points since the start of this year. For the first six months of 2004 overall, arrivals from this region show a 36.8% increase on the equivalent period in 2003 and a 19.4% decrease on the 2002 result.

June arrivals from Taiwan were 170% above the figures for June 2003 at 174,396. Although this is still 4.2% below the June 2002 result, it is comfortably the strongest performance from Taiwan this year, indicating that a recovery is gathering momentum in this market, which has seen outbound travel to all destinations affected by political and economic concerns. Hong Kong is particularly affected by such trends as it is a major hub and transit point for travel between Taiwan and other regional or international destinations. Taiwan remains Hong Kong’s second largest source market with 982,768 arrivals in the first six months of 2004, an increase of 38.2% on the same period in 2003 but a decrease of 15.5% on the 2002 figure.

Same-Day In-Town Visitors

In June, 60.7% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, a significant improvement on the 55.2% in June 2003. The remaining 39.3% were classified as “same-day in-town” visitors, departing for another destination on the same day as arrival.

Most longer-haul visitors stayed for one night or more, notably those from Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific (79.0%) and The Americas (78.2%), while 78.4% of all visitors from South & Southeast Asia also did so. On the other hand, only 25.3% of Taiwan visitors stayed overnight, as many visitors from this market are in transit to/from Mainland China or other regional destinations. For the first six months of 2004, 62.3% of all visitors have stayed for one night or more, compared with 61.0% for the same period in 2003.

Hotel Occupancy

Average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guest houses in June was 86%, compared with only 34% in June 2003 when Hong Kong’s tourism industry was still being badly affected by the Sars crisis. However, it also compares very favourably with the June 2002 figure of 79%.

Hotels in the Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok areas enjoyed an especially successful month, averaging 91% occupancy in June. The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was HK$704, a 21.2% improvement on the June 2003 figure.

For the first six months of 2004, average occupancy now stands at 85%, compared with 54% for the same period in 2003 and 82% in 2002. The average achieved hotel room rate is HK$762, a significant improvement on the HK$654 recorded for this period in 2003 and HK$693 in 2002.

vincent

August 3rd, 2004, 09:22 AM

really good statistic!
if the tourist in HK keep growing, HK will probably be the most visited city in the whole world. (or maybe it already is??)

hkskyline

August 3rd, 2004, 04:28 PM

The major proponent of growth is mainland Chinese visitors coming to HK under the individual travel scheme. Hotel occupancy rates have already shot over the roof and imagine what Disneyland would do when it opens. However, Hong Kong should continue to market extensively worldwide for other international tourists after being scared away by SARS last year.

hkskyline

September 9th, 2004, 12:44 AM

Business travel drives Hong Kong hotels
September 7, 2004

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/TRAVEL/09/07/bt.hk.hotels.reut/story.hk.afp.jpg

(Reuters) -- A rise in corporate travel is boosting occupancy rates at luxury Hong Kong hotels, but a surge in mainland China tourists has yet to fuel hotel profits across the board, said industry experts.

"Corporate clients will stay in top-end hotels but those hotels focusing on mainland tourists are not yet benefiting in terms of room rates," said Alvin To, research director at international property consultant DTZ Debenham Tie Leung.

To said Hong Kong hotel demand rose only four percent in the first half of the year compared to the last quarter of 2002, the period before Beijing freed up travel rules to allow residents from a handful of Chinese cities to visit Hong Kong on their own.

Many industry watchers had expected a hotel supply crunch with over six million mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong in the first half of this year to shop and dine out. But most tourists currently visit from neighbouring Guangdong province and make short hops into Hong Kong leaving hoteliers with more empty rooms.

Hotel occupancy rates dropped to 85 percent in the first half year versus 86.2 percent in the final 2002 quarter, according to DTZ.

To, however, expects Hong Kong hotels to gain more mainland China business in the near future with nine cities in northern China now eligible for the individual travel scheme. He estimates over 21 million mainland China tourists will visit Hong Kong by the end of the year.

Hong Kong's tourism promotion body expects the number of visitors to grow by 32 percent from SARS-hit 2003 to a record high this year.

Strong demand from corporate travelers is fuelling profits for deluxe hotel chains as Hong Kong's position as a gateway to China spurs visits by an army of investment bankers, lawyers and China sourcing agents.

Deluxe hotel operator Shangri-La Ltd., which operates two hotels in the city, has posted record first-half profits driven by strong demand in the China region.

It posted an 11-fold increase in first-half net profit to $68.69 from $5.60 in the year-ago period.

"We expect room yields to continue growing through the end of the year," said Giovanni Angelini, CEO of Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts at a press briefing.

Angelini said room yields in Hong Kong rose 18 percent in the first half to (U.S.)$145, compared to $123 in the first half of 2002.

Hoteliers prefer to use 2002 as a comparative measure this year after SARS devastated travel to the region in the first half of 2003.

Shangri-La, which makes the bulk of its profits from the Greater China region, said the hotel group had yet to witness a resurgence in long haul leisure guests from Europe and the United States.

"They are here but not back the way we expected, but occupancy rates by the second half of the year are on their way up," Angelini said.

Copyright 2004 Reuters.

hkskyline

September 22nd, 2004, 07:18 AM

Copyright 2004 South China Morning Post Ltd.
South China Morning Post
September 22, 2004
SECTION: News; Pg. 1

Long-haul visitors returning in droves
Paggie Leung

The number of long-haul visitors coming to Hong Kong has finally bounced back to pre-Sars levels.

The city welcomed almost 1.79 million long-distance visitors between January and July, up 80 per cent on the same period last year when Sars devastated the tourism industry, the Tourism Board said yesterday.

The figure was also up 5.5 per cent on the 2002 figures.

The biggest growth was in tourists from Australia, up 13.7 per cent over 2002.

There was also strong growth from Europe and the US, the Tourism Board said, without giving figures.

Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong Ming-wah said she expected the number of long-haul travellers this year would surpass the full 2002 figure, underscoring the recovery of the industry.

Ms Chong said that instead of focusing on mainland travellers, the board hoped to maintain a "balanced percentage" of tourists from different regions, keeping the percentage of long-haul visitors at about 15 per cent.

Overall, the mainland was the biggest source of visitors, with 6.83 million mainlanders arriving in the first seven months of the year.

Visitors from the mainland, the United States, Taiwan, Britain and Australia were the biggest spenders last year, the Tourism Board said, with each visitor spending from $ 4,857 to $ 6,018.

The board is spending 44 per cent of its resources on wooing long-haul travellers this year.

Hong Kong will host the annual World Travel Congress of the American Society of Travel Agents from September 28 to October 3. The society is the world's largest association of travel professionals, with more than 20,000 members.

Hong Kong last hosted the event in 1965.

hkskyline

September 29th, 2004, 07:21 PM

South China Morning Post
September 29, 2004

Tourism hits a new high with 2 million visitors in August The record figure provides a perfect backdrop for World Travel Congress
Peter Michael

Hong Kong has been offered a new tourism slogan: "Hong Kong: See It, Sell It".

Authorities yesterday revealed tourism figures had hit a record high with more than 2 million visitors last month.

A total of 14 million visitors had been recorded in the first eight months of the year, said Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Tourist Board.

The news comes with more than 2,000 leading US travel professionals in the city for last night's opening ceremony of the four-day 2004 World Travel Congress, at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"Hong Kong is more than just a destination. It is an experience," said Bev Zukow, the congress' chairwoman.

"Those four words, 'Live It, Love It', are so clever," she said.

"Hong Kong has a mystique about it. It's vibrant, so alive and so diverse. And that is why we are here to 'see it, sell it'."

Organised by the American Society of Travel Agents, the conference is expected to pump more than $ 23 million directly into the economy over the next four days.

"Much more important still is the multiplier effect," said Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong Ming-wah.

"This will create worldwide publicity for Hong Kong, and its selling points as a business and leisure destination."

Following the "magic milestone" of 2 million visitors to Hong Kong last month - and averaging about 400,000 visitors a week over the year - the city was likely to achieve the target of 20.5 million visitors for the full year, she said.

"We place great value on the US market for a number of good reasons. Firstly, it's our largest long-haul market, in fact the fourth-largest of all our source markets.

"Secondly, it has a very high business travel component: last year 43 per cent of all US visitors came on business, compared with 31 per cent across all markets.

"Thirdly, due in part to the large business component, the per-capita spending of US overnight visitors is one of our highest at US$ 720 in 2003, nearly 24 per cent growth on the previous year."

She said the conference was an opportunity to reinforce Hong Kong's reputation as the events capital of Asia.

" It will highlight Hong Kong's ideal location as an international transport hub and meeting point for China business and leisure travel as well as being a market leader in the high-yield conventions and exhibitions segment."

Richard Copland, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Agents, said the "brave new world of travel" has suffered "four years of conflict, challenge and change".

"If you were to write a book - a thriller or science fiction - you couldn't make this up," he said.

hkskyline

October 1st, 2004, 02:14 AM

Copyright 2004 South China Morning Post Ltd.
September 30, 2004

Travel congress upbeat on prospects; Amid a forum on tourism, 400,000 mainlanders will arrive for 'golden week'
Peter Michael

Hong Kong is gearing up for a record "golden week" with 400,000 mainland visitors expected to arrive over the next 10 days, officials say.

This comes on the back of a record high of more than 2 million visitors last month - about 1.2 million from the mainland.And it follows a top-level forum yesterday between senior mainland, Hong Kong and American travel officials on tourism in the pan-Pearl River Delta.

The forum was part of the four-day World Travel Congress taking place at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 2,000 travel professionals from the American Society of Travel Agents are attending.

Despite thick smog in much of the city, delegates and officials were yesterday unwilling to comment on the threat to tourism posed by high air pollution.

"It is a bad day," said incoming society president Kathy Sudeikis, of Kansas. "But we are experiencing all the same problems of smog and pollution in the United States."

"It is part of the problems of any busy industrial area. We prefer to see it more as part of the sights, sounds and smells that make up the exotic experience that is Hong Kong."

Ms Sudeikis, whose society is one of the world's most influential travel lobby groups, said the discussion among mainland officials over pan-Pearl River Delta tourism had been eye-opening. "There are parts of China we as travel agents know nothing about, much less our clients. The beauty of Guilin and the mushroom mountains is certainly an area that appeals as a tourism destination for its exotic beauty."

She said Pearl River Delta officials would stand to benefit from the experience of Hong Kong in channelling the sales pitch to American consumers.

"Hong Kong has studied our market and knows exactly how to sell us the things we like. These other nine provinces can use this as a shortcut to use all that experience and data about the US market and to give us what we want."

Tourism Administration Guangdong province deputy chairman Su Jianhe said the American traveller represented a significant opportunity for the pan-Pearl River Delta.

Mr Su said the provinces were still suffering from the impact of last year's Sars outbreak, with tourism down by half.

He said many of the attractions in his region could be taken in "multi -destination packages" based on golf, spas, and gourmet cuisine. He said increased visits from America alone could boost the market by as much as 20 per cent.

Hong Kong Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong Ming-wah said Hong Kong was preparing for a peak season.

"We have the China National Day 'golden week' coming up and expect to welcome around 400,000 mainland visitors over that period," Ms Chong said.

"We hope that our visitors enjoy speedy processing and a hassle-free entry as they come across our borders. October and November always see a lot of business traffic as many conventions and exhibitions take place at this time."

She said pyrotechnic shows combined with the Symphony of Lights would be a feature of the "golden week", the mainland's week-long holiday after national day and a popular time for travel.

hkskyline

October 11th, 2004, 06:07 PM

October 11, 2004
Record 49,000 Mainland visitors on National Day

Individual Mainland visitors hit a record high of 49,000 on National Day, with the daily average during the Golden Week holiday jumping 167% over last year.

The Immigration Department said 245,869 individual visitors entered Hong Kong, representing a daily average of more than 17,500.

On October 1, the number of individual visitors reached another peak of 49,240. Most travelled through the land-boundary checkpoints of Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau.

Passenger traffic at control points during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Golden Week holidays remained smooth despite the passenger flux.

Passenger throughput exceeds 7.13m

From September 27 to October 10, more than 7.13 million people travelled into and out of Hong Kong via land, sea and air checkpoints. The figure is up 13% on the same period last year.

Mainland visitors accounted for more than 529,000 during the festive period, up 26% on last year.

Total passenger throughput at land-boundary checkpoints was about 5.4 million, up 13% over last year's 4.78 million. Of these, more than 3.57 million - a daily average of 255,000 - passed through Lo Wu.

Highest daily total passenger throughput came on September 30, with 302,000. The highest daily figure for inbound passengers, 190,000, was recorded on October 3, while that for outbound passengers was at Lo Wu on October 9 with 161,000.

The busiest hour was 6pm to 7pm on September 30, when 29,445 passengers were processed.

Lok Ma Chau sees 1.5m travellers

Passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau checkpoint during the festive period was also heavy, with a total passenger throughput of 1.5 million, a daily average of more than 107,000.

During the period, the busiest day was October 9 with 121,000 passengers. The highest daily figure of 69,000 for outbound passengers was recorded on the same day, while that for inbound passengers was more than 70,000 on October 3.

The number of counters in Lo Wu departure hall rose from 76 to 90 before the festival period, and most passengers cleared immigration within 30 minutes.

hkskyline

October 16th, 2004, 01:02 AM

Hilton also planning Hong Kong comeback
Announcement comes after Regent proposes the same move this week
Denise Tsang
15 October 2004
South China Morning Post

Hilton International wants to return to Hong Kong to cash in on the tourism boom, the second major hotelier to make such an announcement this week.

The group, whose luxury hotel in Central was pulled down in 1995 to make way for Cheung Kong Center, is scouting for a new property that can house up to 800 rooms, according to Guy Phillips, area director of development Middle East and Asia Pacific.

On Monday, Regent International, which left the city in 2001, said it was planning a return as Hong Kong room supply barely met demand growth.

"We're keen on coming back," Mr Phillips said yesterday at the 15th annual Asia-Pacific Hotel Investment Conference. "We're very bullish about the market as occupancy and room rates are getting back to 1996 levels."

Underlining the hoteliers' optimism is the opening of Disneyland next year and the city's deep-rooted role as the gateway to China.

Mr Phillips said Hilton was in talks with property developers about managing a hotel, but choices on prime locations were limited. "We would prefer a new property, so it is hard to specify a time frame for putting up a Hilton here," he said.

Law firm Johnson Stokes & Master partner Andrew MacGeoch said location was critical for top-tier hotels, citing Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and Four Seasons Suites to be opened above Hong Kong Station, the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Landmark, Central, next year, and W Hotel at Kowloon Station in 2008.

"Regent and Hilton have been trying to rebuild their presence here, but it's difficult to find the right location in the central business district," Mr MacGeoch said.

A case in point is the boutique-style Le Meridien hotel at Cyberport, Pokfulam. The 173-room hotel, a 20-minute taxi ride from Central, was reported to be only 10 per cent occupied shortly after it was opened in April.

However, Michael Sagild, the managing director of Le Meridien's Asia-Pacific operations, said the hotel was fully taken this month and next because of business conferences and exhibitions.

"We struggled for a couple of months as we opened in the quiet season and the Cyberport and surrounding area are not fully occupied yet," Mr Sagild said. "This is the corporate season, and the most difficult time is behind us."

Le Meridien will open two hotels in Shanghai in the next two years and plans three more in other cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou. China is increasingly the focal point of world tourism given its growing economy and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Consultant Horwath Asia Pacific anticipates healthy growth of hotel occupancy in Beijing, which is expected to be 70 to 75 per cent this year and 75 to 80 per cent next. Shanghai and Hong Kong will see an average occupancy of 75 to 80 per cent this year and next.

hkskyline

October 19th, 2004, 09:19 PM

Copyright 2004 The Financial Times Limited
October 19, 2004 Tuesday

The Future of Chinese Tourism : Paris is now the top choice for mainlanders

By JUSTINE LAU

Hong Kong's streets and shops were packed with 356,000 travellers from the mainland during the so-called "golden week" of China's National Day holiday on October 1.

In the hope of turning the visitors - who bring with them wads of cash to splurge on everything from cosmetics to jewellery to luxury flats - into customers, retailers gave away coupons and other incentives, such as flashlights and electric fans.

"They are the saviours of our shop and Hong Kong's economy," said an owner of a city centre clothing store.

Driven by a strong recovery in the retail sector that has benefited from an influx of mainland tourists, Hong Kong's economy has rebounded sharply since last summer when the territory was declared free of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars). Retail sales account for about 15 per cent of Hong Kong's gross domestic product.

However, just as Hong Kong welcomed another wave of big-spending mainland tourists, concerns were also rising over the sustainability of the staggering growth in their numbers and how long their spending can fuel the territory's recovery.

Chinese travellers, who usually save money for months before going on trips abroad, are now not only Hong Kong's biggest source of tourist arrivals but also the biggest spenders. Last year, they spent HKDollars 6,018 each during their stay compared with the average of HKDollars 5,502.

Their presence has been more pronounced since last July when China relaxed its tourism policy and allowed citizens from certain provinces to visit on individual visas instead of having to join a group tour. About 150m people from 32 mainland cities benefit from the scheme.

The influx of the mainlanders by train, ferry and plane has boosted the number of tourists by more than 50 per cent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2004 to 14m. That figure represents about 90 per cent of the total number who visited Hong Kong last year.

But anecdotal evidence suggests that some Chinese tourists are already losing interest.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board, a government-funded promotional body, admits that average spending from mainlanders is dropping.

Shi Xiaojuan, manager of tour operator China Travel International in Beijing, says that though Hong Kong remains one of the most preferred destinations among mainlanders, demand for tours to the territory during the National Day holiday has been lukewarm.

"Hong Kong used to be the number one choice for people here. But now everyone wants to go to Paris," says Ms Shi. Chinese tour groups were granted the right to visit 27 European countries in September.

Wen Ziji, vice-director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Tourism, also has warned that Hong Kong should not only rely on shopping as mainland travellers are becoming more sophisticated.

Selina Chow, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, insists Hong Kong offers a long list of attractions besides shopping, such as plans for a wetland park to tout the territory's natural beauty and a cable car ride to the world's largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha statue. A Disneyland theme park, which will be open in 2005, is at the top of the list.

"(But) one of the problems with the government is that it somehow feels that it does not have to do anything more because there will be a Disneyland next year," says Ronnie Ho, chairman of the Hong Kong Travel Industry Council.

Meanwhile, the government is confident that the growth in Chinese tourists will remain strong as China continues to relax its tourism policy gradually.

Only about 12 per cent of mainland Chinese are allowed to travel to Hong Kong on individual visas.

"I can imagine that when the people from inland cities are allowed to come here, they will pack their bags immediately because they have heard so much about the scenery and shopping in Hong Kong," says Eva Cheng, commissioner for tourism.

Among those who have been to Hong Kong already, some leave with disappointment over their shopping experiences.

A recent survey by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University of customers and tourists found that Hong Kong's service quality is "just above average". Complaints from Chinese visitors who tour the territory on deeply discounted travel packages are common.

While service quality is something that can be improved, Hong Kong is also losing its pull as a shopper's paradise on another front because more luxury retailers are expanding into the mainland.

And as Hong Kong ponders ways to defend its status, critics say it also needs to think hard to keep up the number of tourists from other markets, most notably Taiwan and Japan, where growth has been lagging.

hkskyline

November 4th, 2004, 04:39 PM

Thursday November 4, 8:32 PM
Visitors to Hong Kong Jan-Sept beat full-yr 2003

HONG KONG, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Chinese tourists helped catapult the total number of visitors to Hong Kong to a record in September, bringing the count for the first nine months to exceed the full-year 2003 figure, the tourism board said on Thursday.

About 1.69 million tourists came to the city in September, the highest-ever September number, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said in a statement. The figure represented a growth of 14.2 percent on the year-ago month and 23.2 percent on September 2002.

For the first nine months of this year, 15.76 million visitors arrived, up 52.1 percent on 2003 and 34.2 percent on 2002 year-on-year.

The number already surpassed the 15.54 million recorded for full-year 2003.

The board was upbeat on the outlook for the rest of the year.

"We also have the historically busiest final quarter of the year to come," the board's Executive Director Clara Chong said.

Much of the September growth was due to mainland Chinese visitors, who accounted for 54.1 percent of total visitors in the month.

Average occupancy rate of hotels and tourist guesthouses was 84 percent in September, the highest figure for that month since 1996, and two percentage points higher than in the same months in 2002 and 2003. Average achieved hotel room rate grew 21.6 percent in September from the year-ago month.

For the first nine months of this year, average occupancy stood at 86 percent, up from 63 percent in 2003 and 82 percent in 2002 year-on-year. Average achieved hotel room rate rose 19.2 percent from the same month in 2003.

hkskyline

November 5th, 2004, 08:06 PM

Filipino shoppers in Hong Kong to reach 300,000 mark this year

By CORNELIO R. DE GUZMAN
http://www.mb.com.ph/SP_TOUR20041106.html

David Leung, regional director of South and Southeast Asia Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in a press interview said recently that the number of Filipinos visiting Hong Kong this year might reach the 300,000 mark.

Leung, however, was quick to add that the number does not include overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) working in Hong Kong who occasionally go home to the Philippines for their vacation and then go back again to Hong Kong.

He said Filipinos visiting Hong Kong are mostly shoppers who stay in the city for an average of three days and probably spend an average of US$300 to US$500 per visit.

Leung said Hong Kong has been very lucky this year because of the absence of the incidence of SARS and chicken flu. Because of this, he said, Hong Kong is expecting to reach a new landmark for tourism industry this year with a total of 20 million visitor arrivals.

Leung came to Manila to launch the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Hong Kong Movie Odyssey to be premiered exclusively on AXN starting Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

The launching and press conference was held recently at the Vietnamese restaurant of Dusit Hotel Nikko presided over by Leung, who said famous Hong Kong celebrities Stephen Chow, Ekin Cheng, Karen Mok and Stephen Fung, amongst other well-known Hong Kong film industry personalities, will present new insights to their homeland in the Hong Kong Movie Odyssey.

Supported by the HKTB, the Hong Kong Movie Odyssey consists of two halfhour episodes that explore Hong Kong’s role as a driving force behind the Asian film industry, as a suitable location for movie making and an ideal travel destination.

The production will take viewers to famous Hong Kong locations featured in popular movies such as "Infernal Affairs", "One Night in Mongkok", "He’s a Woman, She’s a Man", "Heroic Duo and "Golden Chicken", which includes landmarks such as the Giant Buddha, Victoria Peak, Tsing Ma Bridge and popular districts like Mongkok and Tsim Sha Tsui.

The production also sees well-known international Hong Kong film stars such as actor/director Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle), actor/director Stephen Fung (GenX Cops), singer/actor Ekin Cheng (The Storm Riders, Young and Dangerous), and singer/actress Karen Mok (So Close) sharing their thoughts and feelings on their favorite aspect of Hong Kong. Other famous film industry personalities who were interviewed also include producers/directors Alfred Cheung (All’s Well, Ends Well), Daniel Lee (Moonlight Express, Black Mask), Peter Chan, (The Eye, Golden Chicken 1 & 2), Benny Chan, (New Police Story), Teddy Chan (The Accidental Spy) and the director of the critically acclaimed blockbuster movie "Infernal Affairs", Andrew Lau.

Selected interviews will also be featured in a series of four 60-second vignettes entitled "Action City, Action Star," which will air on AXN this November.

Earlier, Gregory Ho, vice president of Marketing and Creative Services, AXN Asia said in a press statement the, "The Hong Kong Movie Odyssey and Action City, Action Star will showcase how truly unique Hong Kong is, not just through the eyes of its locals, but through the eyes of the very people who have captured the city’s essence on camera over the years."

"Hong Kong is often called the Hollywood of the east. Apart from its fame of being the destination for excellent cuisine and shopping. Hong Kong is also most well known for its vast contribution to the world of the silver screen. There are memorable scenes that feature essential aspects of Hong Kong; from early movies like ‘The World of Suzie Wong’ to the latest like the ‘New Police Story’, there is always a familiar touch that gives you a sense of deja vu," said Leung.

"See Hong Kong’s glamour, cosmopolitan lifestyle and fusion of cultures on screen through the eyes of celebrities in the Hong Kong Movie Odyssey. We hope to stimulate viewers’ desires, attract more visitors and inspire them to see and discover the movie locations for themselves; eat and drink in the same places as the stars; and enjoy the city’s fashionable, quality shopping."

AXN will broadcast the Hong Kong Movie Odyssey programs and Action City, Action Star vignettes to 50 million homes across Asia, including Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. AXN Asia is available to more than 31 million households 24-hours daily throughout Asia.

hkskyline

November 10th, 2004, 07:37 AM

South China Morning Post
November 10, 2004

Tourism increase a boon for retail trade Brand name vendors
* seeking space in prime locations as the economy picks up and new wave of mainlanders goes shopping

THE INFLUX OF mainland tourists has boosted the retail leasing market, pushing shop rents up sharply.

Many retailers are benefiting from the spending power of mainland visitors following the relaxed procedures allowing easier access to Hong Kong.

With improved retail sales and better confidence in expanding operations, more retail operators have returned to the marketplace to find suitable premises, even though rents are higher.

CB Richard Ellis director of retail services Joe Lin said estimated average shop rents increased by 18.5 per cent in the first nine months.

Selected shops in prime locations achieved rental growth of 90 per cent or 100 per cent as aggressive retailers fought for high-street space, he said.

Mr Lin expected to see further rental increases in the fourth quarter and next year, but the growth rate would be more modest because the rental base was already high in prime locations.

The strengthening economy and consumer confidence had pushed up demand for prime retail premises, especially for space in popular tourist districts such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok and Causeway Bay.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle, designer labels and jewellery retailers continued to be the major source of demand for retail space in prime shopping areas, benefiting from the strong influx of mainland tourists and improving consumer confidence.

Rents of prime high-street shops grew 9 per cent in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter.

Jones Lang LaSalle expects rents of retail properties in prime shopping areas Causeway Bay, Mongkok and Tsim Sha Tsui to further increase as retailers compete for prime outlets.

The proposal by the Planning Department for the pedestrianisation of several streets in Causeway Bay triggered an increase in retail property transactions for street shops there, as retailers expected an even higher pedestrian flow.

The positive momentum in the retail market should continue with the return of inflationary pressure in Hong Kong and the continued influx of mainland tourists stemming from the further expansion of the Independent Traveller Scheme to another nine mainland cities and three provinces.

However, Mr Lin said the impact of mainland travellers on Hong Kong's retail sales could be less significant than it was immediately after the travel policy was first relaxed last year.

With landlords raising rents sharply, there are renewed concerns that the less financially strong shop operators will face intense rental pressure when renewing their leases and will have difficulty surviving.

Mr Lin said that instead of being driven out of the market, some retailers were being forced to consider finding shops in second-tier locations.

He said several retailers had difficulty finding suitable shops at lower costs for their business expansion, especially when the supply of new retail properties remained limited.

"Many retailers prefer to stay at existing shops on renewal rather than going to new locations which often charge higher rents," he said.

Retailers of audio-visual products and jewellery were among the most aggressive in opening new outlets in prime areas.

"Leasing activity was particularly notable on Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mongkok, with retailers keen to exploit the crowd of mainland visitors and trendy youngsters who frequent the area," Mr Lin said.

"Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui have also been heavily targeted, particularly among luxury brands keen for expansion in quality locations such as Russell Street and Canton Road."

As rents would not come down in the foreseeable future and aggressive retailers fought to secure shops in strategic spots, other retail operators would have to improve their leasing offers so they did not lag in this booming market, Mr Lin said.

As consumer sentiment improved, the market could absorb higher product prices, which would alleviate retailers' rent burden to a certain extent, Mr Lin said.

In recent years, major landlords have been making efforts to upgrade or reposition their retail properties by incorporating unique themes or improving the tenant mix to draw more shopper interest.

Pioneer Centre in Mongkok was sub-dividing the retail space previously occupied by Ikea into smaller shops that specialised in telecommunications and computer-related trade, Mr Lin said.

Sha Tin Plaza has turned the premises previously used by a Chinese restaurant into smaller units for retail and dining operations. Harbour City, Olympian City, Times Square, Telford Plaza, Pacific Place and Miramar Shopping Centre have repositioned and improved their trade mix.

hkskyline

November 10th, 2004, 09:55 PM

Tourism Board sees 21.3 million visitors this year
Grace Lam, Hong Kong Standard
November 11, 2004

A record 21.3 million visitors will flood into Hong Kong this year, beating the official forecast of 20.5 million, the Hong Kong Tourism Board predicted.

That would mark a 37 per cent jump from the 15.54 million arrivals recorded in 2003, a figure that was surpassed in the first nine months of this year.

Hong Kong Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong said on Wednesday that the growth in the number of visitors from outside Asia was especially strong.

"With the added appeal of Hong Kong WinterFest, we're confident that the growth momentum will continue through the last quarter of the year," Chong said.

To attract more overseas travellers, especially family groups, the board will stage its third Hong Kong WinterFest, complete with a Nordic Santa's Town in Statue Square in Central sporting the territory's tallest outdoor Christmas tree.

The board will spend some HK$8 million on the event and hopes it will boost visitor arrivals by 13.4 per cent to 2.49 million during the last five weeks of this year.

"Last year, it attracted almost 2.2 million visitors during the five-week period, up 8 per cent from 2002. It has successfully turned our winter festive season, which normally has fewer business and long-haul visitors, into another peak travel season," Chong said.

With average spending of tourists during their visits estimated at HK$5,500, she said the event would generate as much as HK$13.7 billion for the city.

The WinterFest will run from November 26 to January 2

A 35-metre, 12-storey-tall Christmas tree, bedecked with over 270,000 amber and white pin lights, 2,300 pine cones and 5,280 metres of gold ribbon, will be erected in Central.

There will also be a "Mistletoe Boulevard", running from the Star Ferry Pier through the covered walkway and pedestrian tunnel to Statue Square.

hkskyline

November 11th, 2004, 07:33 PM

November 10, 2004
WinterFest to attract 2.5m visitors

This year's WinterFest is expected to boost visitor arrivals by 13.4% to 2.49 million during its programme from November 26 to January 2.

Staged for its third consecutive year, the Tourism Board says the event will help bring total yearly arrivals to a historic high of 21.3 million.

The board's Executive Director Clara Chong said arrivals for the first nine months of this year have already surpassed those of all of last year.

"With the added appeal of WinterFest, we are confident the growth momentum will continue through the last quarter of the year and we have therefore revised our forecast for 2004 from 20.5 million to 21.3 million," she said.

"The programme has enjoyed phenomenal success in the past two years. Last year it attracted almost 2.2 million visitors, 8% more than in 2002. It has set new monthly records for December, and successfully turned our winter festive season into another peak travel season."

'Love & Care'

To promote Hong Kong's multi-dimensional attractions to more visitor segments, notably couples, families and lovers of shopping and dining, the board will introduce even more enticing elements around the theme of 'Love & Care' this year.

"Leveraging on the Christmas spirit of love and care, we will add more family-friendly elements, which will help us reinforce Hong Kong's reputation as a family destination and pave way for the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland," Ms Chong said.

This year, the board will transform Statue Square into Nordic Santa's Town. There will be Hong Kong's highest outdoor Dazzling Christmas Tree and a romantic Mistletoe Boulevard in the vicinity.

Activities staged by other organisations during WinterFest include the 29th Products Expo in Victoria Park, Horses Across Hong Kong, the International Races on December12, Christmas Sensation at Ocean Park and the New Year Countdown Carnival.

November 26 to 28 will see special pyrotechnics added to the Symphony of Lights shows to launch WinterFest.

Great deals

Over 2,900 merchants and restaurants have agreed to offer visitors discounts and special privileges. Details are included in the WinterFest Activities Guide and the WinterFest Passport to Amazing Offers, which will be distributed at the Visitor Information & Services Centres and various entry points.

Award-winning restaurants of the Best of the Best Culinary Awards and those in renowned food districts will design special visitor menus.

Ms Chong encouraged more merchants to take part in WinterFest and provide visitors with an unforgettable culinary and shopping experience.

hkskyline

November 21st, 2004, 10:15 PM

The Standard
November 20, 2004
Hotel Owners Call for More 5-Star Sites
Grace Lam

The government should sell more land in prime locations for high-end hotel development to meet demand, the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners said.

Executive director Michael Li said overseas hotel operators such as Hilton and Regent, which are no longer in Hong Kong, were interested in returning but the lack of suitable land for luxury hotels held them back.

It's now very difficult to find sites to build five-star hotels. The government should consider releasing some more land in good locations,'' Li said on Friday. It doesn't help if you release a site in North Point or Western district; it has to be in a good location like Central, Admiralty or Wan Chai to interest investors.'' Of the 17 plots of land up for auction this year, 13 are for residential land use. Developers can only get land for hotels through acquisitions and the sites are not suitable, Li said.

He suggested the government release sites by inviting tenders instead of land auctions as auctions tend to push prices too high for hotel development.

It often takes 10 years for a new hotel to turn profitable, therefore hotel development projects can not be seen as pure property projects,'' he said.

According to the federation, of the 6,000 to 10,000 hotel rooms to be added in 2006-2008, only 1,000 to 2,000 rooms will be in the high-end category. Of the 39,000 hotel rooms now available in Hong Kong, only 7,000 to 8,000 were in the category.

Li said the 1,000 to 2,000 new deluxe hotel rooms might not satisfy the huge demand during peak seasons.

Mainland visitors expect better quality hotel services as they make up 20 per cent of five-star hotel business.

I'm confident that mainland visitors would take up more than 20 per cent of the high-end hotels' business. Most five-star hotels are now actually targeting high-end tours or business travellers from the mainland,'' Li said.

The outlook of the low-end market seems less bright. In a recent proposal submitted by the federation to the government, it said the occupancy rate has not grown at the same pace of visitor arrivals, as average room rates are under pressure. It urged the government not to encourage building of low-end hotels or converting House Ownership Scheme flats into budget guest houses.

The average occupancy rate of SAR hotels is about 85 per cent. To lure more visitors, the federation suggested developing the tourism infrastructure, speeding up the construction of a cruise terminal, providing more funds for cultural events and festivals, focusing on green tourism and fast tracking air service agreements to allow more airlines to run more flights to more destinations.

hkskyline

November 26th, 2004, 07:50 AM

November 25, 2004
Government Press Release
Families to push HK tourism growth

Family trips will drive tourism growth with Hong Kong Disneyland and other new family-oriented tourism facilities opening in the next two years, Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng says.

Speaking at a press conference in Shanghai, Ms Cheng said Hong Kong will continue to make huge investments to develop new tourist attractions, such as Hong Kong Wetland Park and the Tung Chung Cable Car.

With a combined development cost of over $31.5 billion, these projects and other enhancements will reinforce Hong Kong's position as the most popular tourist destination in Asia, she said.

"In addition to investment in our tourism infrastructure, we will continue to promote a hospitable culture in the Hong Kong community and work together with the tourism sector to maintain our quality service. We look forward to welcoming families from the Mainland and around the Asia Pacific region to visit Hong Kong," she said.

Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong said apart from families, high-yield business travellers are also being targeted.

Hong Kong Disneyland Vice-president of Sales & Marketing Roy Tan Hardy said that for decades, Hong Kong has been known as a world-class destination where visitors from all over the world come to meet, do business, or have a great holiday.

"We look forward to providing our guests with a world class family vacation experience when we open on September 12," he said.

hkskyline

November 27th, 2004, 11:48 PM

November 26, 2004
Government Press Release
October sees almost 2.02m visitors

For the second time in three months, visitor arrivals have passed the two million mark in a single month, the Tourism Board says. Hong Kong welcomed 2,015,420 visitor arrivals in October - the best ever for the month and only just short of the landmark 2.07 million recorded in August.

The achievement is especially notable as it represents 18.9% growth on the 1.7 million visitors in October last year, which was itself a record-breaking total.

All market regions, but Taiwan, showed double-digit growth, notably Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific (+30.9%), the Americas (+30.6%), North Asia (+23.8%), and South & Southeast Asia (+21.5%).

Mainland arrivals, boosted by the National Day Golden Week holiday, passed the million mark once again at 1,079,392 (+22.9%). More than a quarter of the arrivals were recorded in the first five days of October, with total Mainland visitors for the 10-day Golden Week period (September 28 to October 7) reaching 438,889, well ahead of the board's 400,000 forecast.

For the first ten months this year, Hong Kong welcomed 17,773,512 arrivals, up 47.4% on the same period last year and 33.4% on 2002. This was already well past the previous best full-year total of 16.57 million in 2002. In view of this, the board has recently raised its forecast for the whole of 2004 from 20.49 million to 21.36 million.

Positive growth

The board's Executive Director Clara Chong said the industry's positive growth momentum was now becoming very clear.

"Earlier in the year it was difficult to benchmark our progress accurately due to the low comparison base of 2003, but now we are comparing the performance against previous records and still surpassing them," she said.

"With a few exceptions that the board is addressing, we are no longer talking about recovery, but about strong organic growth."

Ms Chong said she is pleased with the performance of the major long-haul markets, with the US and Australia on target to reach their highest-ever total this year, while the UK should record its best performance since 1996.

40% same-day in-town visitors

In October, 60% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, slightly fewer than the 61.5% recorded in October 2003. The remaining 40% were classified as "same-day in-town" visitors, departing for another destination on the same day as arrival.

This phenomenon reflects Hong Kong's increasing importance as a regional transport hub and is most pronounced among the short-haul markets.

Most long-haul visitors stayed one night or more, including 77.3% of all arrivals from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, 77% from the Americas and 73.5% from Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. But only 25.6% of Taiwan visitors stayed overnight, as many of them are in transit to and from the Mainland or other regional destinations.

For the first ten months of the year, 62.5% of all visitors stayed for one night or more, compared with only 61.6% for the same period last year.

Hotel occupancy at 90%

The average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses in October was 89%, compared with 85% for the same month last year.

As October is always a strong month for business travel, high-end accommodation outperformed the average both by category - with hotels in the top two tariff brackets averaging 90% occupancy - and by location, with hotels in Central and Admiralty averaging 91%. Hotels in the Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok areas, which are popular with individual Mainland visitors, also averaged 91% occupancy.

The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was $1,065, nearly a 16% improvement on the October 2003 figure.

For the first ten months of the year, average occupancy stood at 86%, compared with 66% for the same period in 2003 and 83% in 2002. The average achieved hotel room rate was $789, a significant improvement on the $664 recorded for this period in 2003 and $706 in 2002.

hkskyline

November 30th, 2004, 03:26 PM

Asian and mainland visitors key to tourism
Kelvin Wong
27 November 2004
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's retail and services industries rely more heavily on visitors from other Asia-Pacific countries than most other major destinations in the region, according to a report compiled by Visa International.

The report on cardholder spending patterns revealed that Asia-Pacific visitors accounted for 57 per cent of the $11.1 billion spent using Visa cards in Hong Kong last year, up from 52 per cent recorded by the same survey in 1999.

Hong Kong Visa cardholders spent a total of $13.3 billion in 2002.

Other Asia-Pacific countries posted an average of 45 per cent spending by intra-regional visitors.

Among Hong Kong's neighbours, visitors from Japan and Taiwan accounted for the largest shares of total Visa spending, with the Japanese buying $1.58 billion worth of goods and services in the city and the Taiwanese spending $1.14 billion.

US nationals spent the most in Hong Kong last year at $1.92 billion.

According to statistics, 6.6 million visitors arrived in Hong Kong last year, compared with 9.2 million in 2002. The Sars epidemic slashed tourism figures last year, especially in the second and third quarters.

With the relaxation of individual travel rules, mainlanders were becoming the dominant spending force in Hong Kong, the report said.

"The report clearly demonstrates the importance that Asia-Pacific visitors, especially visitors from mainland China, represent to Hong Kong tourism," said Visa International country manager for Hong Kong and Macau Prudence Chan Bik-wah. "Our findings show that visitors from the mainland spent around $1 billion with Visa cards in Hong Kong [last year], and were the fourth highest spender group, up from the 12th place in 1999."

Though lagging behind visitors from the US and Japan in terms of total Visa spending, mainlanders took the top spot in the highest average transaction size. At $2,222, they spent over $600 more than visitors from Germany, who rank second, on the average transaction. The Germans spent $1,598 per transaction on average, while visitors from Ireland, the No3 spenders, posted average transaction values of $1,565.

The report shows that despite Sars, the value of an average Visa card transaction in Hong Kong exceeded the region's average by more than $200.

Nevertheless, the city ranks only third in the eight regional countries surveyed when it comes to spending per person, trailing Australia and Thailand.

Visiting Visa cardholders spent more than $3.59 billion on retail goods and services in Hong Kong, accounting for 32 per cent of total spending. They spent $2.23 billion for accommodation, $1.4 billion on clothing and $610 million on food.

hkskyline

December 5th, 2004, 12:02 AM

Mickey hits Hong Kong
By TANIA BAWDEN
04 December 2004
The Advertiser

THE opening of Hong Kong Disneyland next September is expected to further boost the region's economic growth.

The new attraction could draw as many as 5.6 million visitors in its first year, Hong Kong's Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip said.

This would help annual visitor numbers rise from a record 21.3 million this year to as many as 37 million in 2005 - comprising more than half Chinese nationals on top of strong international tourist levels.

"It's much more flexible and easier for visitors to come from mainland China," Mr Ip said.

"In the past they had to travel in groups, but now 150 cities or 450 million people can travel as individuals to Hong Kong."

The fifth Disneyland - first in China - is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Mr Ip said the theme park and two adjoining hotels would provide strong impetus for the economy and boost demand for other attractions, transport and the Hong Kong International Airport.

Hong Kong airport this week awarded a $330 million contract to build a second terminal to cope with travellers from nearby areas of mainland China.

Australian travellers were set to benefit from regular services by Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways, new services by Dragon Airlines and long-haul services by Qantas and soon Virgin Group.

Mr Ip was in Adelaide last week to attend a graduation ceremony for Cathay Pacific pilots at the Parafield Airport aviation school.

He said more than 250 Cathay Pacific pilots had now trained at the centre.

hkskyline

December 5th, 2004, 07:59 PM

20 millionth visitor lands place in HK record book
Hong Kong Standard
December 6, 2004

Hong Kong welcomed its 20 millionth tourist of 2004 on Sunday, beating an annual record for arrivals of 16.6 million from 2002.

Barbara Wallerbosch from the Netherlands was met at Chek Lap Kok airport with a shower of confetti and flashing cameras as she set the territory's new tourism milestone.

"It's such a warm welcome," she said, seeming a bit dazed.

She was treated to a hamper full of gifts, a complimentary hotel upgrade, a 12-minute night tour by helicopter, two other guided tours, a museum pass and a special dinner.

"The visitor rate has picked up thanks to a lot of revival campaigns after the Sars outbreak, and the world economy has also picked up, so people have more money for travel," Tourism Board spokeswoman Bonnie Ngan.

The board expects the number of visitors to hit 21.4 million for this year.

Tourism directly accounts for about 3 per cent of Hong Kong's gross domestic product, according to the board, and as much as 11 per cent if indirect contributions from airlines and retail sales are taken into account.

Officials say the surge in arrivals has been a leading factor in putting the territory on course for annual GDP growth of 7.5 per cent, up from 3.2 per cent in 2003. Much of the increase in tourism has come from the mainland, after Beijing last year relaxed travel restrictions for many cities in Guangdong and for Beijing and Shanghai.

REUTERS

hkskyline

December 15th, 2004, 11:08 PM

Peak Tower facelift to take visitors to new heights
Carrie Chan
16 December 2004
South China Morning Post

Familiar attractions and restaurants at The Peak Tower will be scrapped under a $100 million revamp of the attraction, starting in February.

The Peak Explorer Motion Simulator and the Movenpick Marche restaurant will be dropped, according to the tower's owner, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels. No deal has yet been signed to retain the Madame Tussauds wax museum, but Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels said it was inclined to keep the attraction.

Because of the work, all shops will close in February except for Madam Tussauds and Pacific Coffee, which will stay open until the end of July. The tower will reopen in early 2006. The Peak Tram service will continue to run during the renovations.

Three new, family-oriented eateries will be added, including a 600-square-metre mid-market Chinese restaurant.

Escalators will be relocated to create an extra 930 square metres of retail space, and an unused open area under the tower area will be enclosed.

Clement Kwok King-man, the group's chief executive officer, said the revamp was needed because visitors' tastes had changed since it spent $500 million to rebuild the tower during the handover.

The viewing gallery will be relocated to the roof, with a floor area of 750 square metres.

Lower floors will be styled to evoke old Hong Kong, inspired by the Temple Street and Ladies' Street markets.

The middle floors will be sports-related and the top floors will have a futuristic look.

Mr Kwok said he hoped rental income would increase by at least 20 per cent after the work. Last year, total rental revenue for the Peak Tower was $20 million.

The group's general manager for properties and clubs, Martyn Sawyer, denied that it was turning the tower into a typical shopping mall. "The retail shops are not brand-label ones, and we are going to create an attractive, festival market concept," he said.

The tower is the city's most visited attraction and is expecting 4.6 million patrons this year - 45 per cent locals, 30 per cent mainlanders and the rest foreign tourists.

A spokeswoman for Madame Tussauds said it was planning for a revamp and was likely to continue operating in 2006.

hkskyline

December 16th, 2004, 05:17 PM

Far East to launch five hotels
Raymond Wang, Hong Kong Standard
13 December 2004

Far East Consortium International, a real estate and hotel investor, will add five new hotels to its portfolio over the next 12 months in a bid to cash in on a growing demand for mid-range hotels thanks to the surge of mainlanders visiting Hong Kong.

"We anticipate a significant increase in the profit contribution from our hotel division as all five new hotels with over 1,200 rooms commence operations," deputy chairman David Chiu said on Friday.

The new hotels, which are expected to be up and running before the end of 2005, will boost the number of its hotels to seven.

When added to its existing properties - the Dorsett Seaview in Hong Kong and Dorsett Regency in Kuala Lumpur - the company says it will become one of the territory's leading operators of three- and four-star hotels with more than 1,800 rooms.

The new properties and their planned opening dates are: the Cosmopolitan in Wan Chai, end of December; the Dorsett Hollywood, in Hollywood Road, March 2005; the Dorsett Hong Kong in Wan Chai, March 2005; the Kau U Fong in Central, November 2005; and the Far East Plaza, in Tsuen Wan, a serviced apartment building that will be converted, December 2005.

"We will continue to build and operate three- to four-star hotels in Hong Kong and Macau to take advantage of the rising demand from mainland travellers in the region," Chiu said.

Far East Consortium posted a more than fivefold jump in first-half net profit to HK$268.3 million for the six months ended September 30, compared with HK$42.6 million a year earlier.

An interim dividend of 3 HK cents per share was declared with scrip dividend option available.

The company's hotel operations in Hong Kong achieved an average occupancy rate of over 90 per cent for the period under review.

Furthermore, its hotels posted a double-digit increase in room rates for the period.

hkskyline

December 22nd, 2004, 08:20 AM

Number of visitors set to exceed forecast
Kristine Kwok
22 December 2004
South China Morning Post

Tourist arrivals will exceed a forecast 21.3 million this year, Tourism Board chairwoman Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee predicted yesterday.

She said more than 20 million people had already entered the city, and the annual WinterFest, launched late last month, was expected to draw 2.5 million visitors.

The board set the 21.3 million target just last month, raising it from 20.5 million.

"International markets have been responding very well to Hong Kong WinterFest. We are expecting a 38 per cent increase [in total arrivals] from last year," she said.

Speaking on a radio programme, Mrs Chow said overseas tourist arrivals, except those from Japan and Taiwan, had surpassed 2002 figures. Figures for last year were badly hit by the Sars outbreak.

The number of solo travellers from the mainland is expected to hit 5 million in July, a year after the launching of the scheme allowing individual visits by residents of selected cities.

But she said average spending had dropped due to travellers' frequent return journeys.

"The solo travel scheme has made travelling to Hong Kong so easy that a lot of the travellers come back frequently.

"They just stay briefly and won't spend a lot on each trip," she said.

Mrs Chow said Hong Kong should come up with a distinctive theme if it were to open a casino, as suggested recently by the Liberal Party.

"About 50 to 60 per cent of Macau's revenue comes from its gaming industry," said Mrs Chow, a Liberal Party member.

"But in the case of Hong Kong, a casino should be one of our various entertainment facilities."

hkskyline

January 10th, 2005, 06:02 PM

South China Morning Post
January 10, 2005
Hotel occupancy rates lack room to grow
Slow expansion comes amid industry growth that has weathered many shocks
Murray Bailey

October is generally a good month for the local travel business, for it is when a number of hotels report 100 per cent occupancy on some nights.

Overall, the industry was ahead by a comfortable 30 per cent over the same month in 2000, indicating average annual growth of just under 7 per cent. Although it falls short of the preferred 10 per cent growth rate that Hong Kong prefers, it is particularly good considering the industry shocks that have occurred during the period - the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Bali bombing, and Sars.

Outbound travel to destinations other than the mainland remains a weak point. And although airport traffic - which earlier in the year was underperforming other sectors - has still not caught up, growth at least is better.

Apparent slow growth in hotel occupancy is mainly due to the fact that there is not much space to grow. The occupancy level recorded for the month (89 per cent) means that people are being turned away because they cannot get the dates, rates or hotels they want.

According to the Big Mac Index by The Economist, the Hong Kong dollar should have been trading at $ 4 to US$ 1 by the end of last year (compared with $ 4.14 in 2003), and not at the controlled rate of $ 7.79.

At the $ 4 level, local four-star hotel rates last year would have been running at US$ 272 rather than the US$ 140 actually achieved - a tasty 49 per cent saving.

(Big Mac exchange rates are related to the cost of a standard locally -produced item - a Big Mac - and the official exchange rate. Its purpose is to reduce distortion caused by over- and under-valued currencies. Although an interesting indicator, the index is not regarded entirely seriously - even by The Economist.)

Cathay Pacific last year showed remarkable growth in freight - an area sometimes considered a more stable business source than passengers.

When compared with 2002 - to avoid distortion caused by the drop in traffic in 2003 during Sars - Cathay is estimated to have added 17 per cent capacity for passengers alone last year, but 29 per cent for passengers and cargo combined, meaning a much-higher growth for cargo alone.

The airline's traffic results confirm the boost in cargo. Its passenger traffic grew an estimated 16 per cent last year, but cargo was up a remarkable 24 per cent, pushing growth for passenger and cargo combined to 20 per cent.

For an airline that is already strong in cargo traffic, such growth is impressive.

However, affiliations in Cathay's cargo world may soon become complicated.

Cathay owns 60 per cent of Air Hong Kong , with the other 40 per cent in the hands of DHL, the worldwide airfreight company.

But one partner in DHL is Germany's Lufthansa Airlines.

This has not been a significant factor, even though Lufthansa is one of the world's top five airlines in cargo - and a rival to Cathay in the passenger business.

But Lufthansa now has plans to participate in a new all-freight airline based in Shenzhen.

If all goes according to plan, the airline, Jade Cargo International, would be 25 per cent owned by Lufthansa.

As results for Hong Kong's hotels in 2004 unfold, the business pattern is becoming clearer.

Five-star hotels were hit hardest by Sars, and three-star ones probably the least. However, the strong overall recovery is also bringing some bad news - five-star hotels are finding it difficult to boost the price they are getting for their rooms.

This struggle will be hidden by a substantial increase in revenue (because many more of their rooms last year were occupied), but not in per-room-per -day revenue.

Growth in their average rate was only at 6 per cent for the first 10 months, compared with about 21 per cent at four-star hotels.

Compiled by Murray Bailey, research director and editor, Travel Business Analyst

hkskyline

January 12th, 2005, 06:57 PM

Hong Kong's Tung says visitors to reach 35 mln annually by 2010

HONG KONG (AFX) - Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said the government expects the number of visitors to the territory each year to reach 35 mln by 2010.
'With the continuous growth of tourism in the mainland and worldwide, we expect the number of visitors to Hong Kong to reach 35 mln by 2010,' Tung said in his annual policy speech.

He said that this, in turn, will create more job opportunities for the middle and lower strata.

According to the latest visitor survey conducted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, shopping is the main attraction for nearly 90 pct of visitors to Hong Kong, he noted.

He vowed to adopt a multi-pronged approach to consolidate Hong Kong's advantages. 'We will do our best to protect intellectual property rights and to eliminate counterfeit goods.' he said.

hkskyline

January 20th, 2005, 02:05 AM

INTERVIEW: HK Regal Hotels Eyes Double-Digit Pft Growth
By Ruby Chan

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Regal Hotels International Holdings Ltd. (0078.HK), which runs five hotels in Hong Kong and two in mainland China, expects double-digit growth in net profit this year following a "significant" rise in 2004 earnings.

Regal Executive Director Poman Lo said the company, along with the rest of the hotel industry, has recovered strongly from the SARS crisis of 2003.

In 2003, Hong Kong-listed Regal Hotels posted a net profit of HK$207.8 million, after a loss of HK$780.8 million in the previous year.

Lo said that Regal plans to spend HK$120 million to HK$130 million to renovate and add rooms to its hotels, which include the five-star Regal Hongkong Hotel in Causeway Bay, the city's main shopping hub.

"With the opening of Disneyland in Hong Kong in September and a new international exhibition center in December as well as increased tourism from China, we are optimistic on the outlook for Hong Kong's tourism industry," said Lo.

The occupancy rates in Regal's Hong Kong hotels was around 85% last year, up from 70% in 2003, when the city was gripped by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. Room rates averaged HK$680 in 2004.

Regal Airport Hotel is expected to show the highest profit margin of the company's Hong Kong hotels in the next three years, benefiting from its proximity to Disneyland.

Regal Hotels Director Tommy Lam said there is still an undersupply of hotel rooms in Hong Kong, despite the opening of the 113-room The Landmark Mandarin Oriental and the 396-room Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong this year.

Overall, Hong Kong has 37,000 hotel rooms, and another 7,000 rooms will be added this year.

"For the past four years, there has been a shortage of hotel rooms in the city, so we view the additions as a catch-up only," said Lam.

Lam said the company is awaiting the government's approval to add 450 rooms to its Regal Riverside Hotel in the New Territory's Shatin suburb in a HK$110 million to HK$120 million expansion. The approval is expected this year, he said.

Regal Hotel's property investment, Regalis Bay in Stanley, sold over 80 houses in 2004 and should contribute over 10% to the company's net profit, said Lam.

Regal Hotels is also looking to expand into Macau, said Lam, adding that the company is planning a 1,000-room hotel project in the former Portuguese enclave. The hotel would include a casino which wouldn't be operated by Regal Hotels.

In China, Regal manages two hotels in Shanghai and is looking to expand its presence in the south, with the cities of Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dongguan seen as possible sites.

Lam said Paliburg Holdings Ltd., which controls 45% of Regal, still has some land bank in Beijing, which may eventually be used for hotel, office and residential developments.

hkskyline

January 20th, 2005, 02:06 AM

Visitors soar 40pc on mainland influx
Grace Lam, Hong Kong Standard
January 19, 2005

Visitor arrivals jumped 40 per cent last year compared with the year before to a higher than expected record 21.8 million on surging mainland tourist figures, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said.

Arrivals were also 30 per cent higher than 16.57 million in 2002, the previous record, before the Sars outbreak in 2003 that prompted tourists to shun Hong Kong. The board had earlier targeted a total 21.36 million visitors for last year.

Board chairwoman Selina Chow said last year's growth was mainly driven by the influx of mainland visitors, but strong growth in key markets like the United States and Australia also played a part.

"With the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, the wetland park, the completion of the Tung Chung cable car project, alongside campaigns by the Tourism Board, I think we'll do an even better job in 2005," Chow said.

Chow did not give a breakdown on the full-year figure, but during the first 11 months, about 56 per cent of total visitors were mainland Chinese. More mainlanders are visiting Hong Kong because Beijing has eased restrictions on their travel here.

The board estimated the number of visitors during the 10-day Lunar New Year period in early February will jump 7.1 per cent from a year ago to reach 660,000 this year, of which about 400,000 will be from the mainland.

Based on a survey in 2003 that each visitor spends an average of HK$5,500 during their stay, the 10 days alone could bring Hong Kong as much as HK$3.63 billion, executive director Clara Chong said.

She said the board is cautiously optimistic about the local tourism industry this year, as it was difficult to predict if tourists from South Asia will be affected after the tsunami disaster.

Taking into account the success of its latest family-oriented programme Hong Kong WinterFest last December, in which 2.55 million visitors arrived in the city in a 38-day period, the board said it will continue to focus its marketing campaign on family-based tourism this year.

The board said the theme of this year's Lunar New Year parade is "Kaleidorama", which is designed to highlight a diversity in the SAR's attractions. The parade will feature 16 international and 13 local groups, including the musical Kung Fu.

The board hopes that up to 300,000 spectators will be attracted to the parade, up from about 280,000 last year.

hkskyline

January 29th, 2005, 08:22 AM

January 28, 2005
Record 2.08m visitors in December

Visitor arrivals in December reached 2,085,127, the highest single-month total on record, the Tourism Board says. It represents 16.3% growth on December 2003's 1.79 million figure, which set a new precedent at the time.

Total arrivals for 2004 grew to 21,810,630, exceeding the board's forecast of 21.36 million and improving by nearly one-third on the previous annual record of 16.57 million in 2002. Overall growth for the year was 40.4% up on 2003, when Hong Kong was affected by SARS.

Many key source markets achieved their best-ever figures during 2004, including the Mainland, the US, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and India, as well as New Zealand, the Netherlands and South Africa. Arrivals from the UK were the highest since the landmark year of 1996, when British pre-Handover interest was at its peak.

During the 38-day WinterFest period from November 26 to January 2, some 2.55 million arrivals were recorded, nearly 17% more than for the same mega-event in 2003-4.

The board's Executive Director Clara Chong said it will take time to make accurate assessments as to what travel impact, if any, the Indian Ocean tsunamis will have.

"We are confident, though, of seeing continued healthy growth in arrivals during 2005, especially in the second half of the year when the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland and Hong Kong Wetland Park will further boost the family travel and business-cum-leisure segments," she said.

Market analysis

The Mainland continued to be the leading source of visitors, with arrivals passing 10 million for the first time to reach 12,245,862, up 44.6%. This includes 1,146,013 (+12.2%) in December, the sixth time in the year that Mainland arrivals exceeded a million in a month.

Arrivals from South and Southeast Asia passed two million in a year for the first time, reaching 2,077,684 (+52.8%), making it Hong Kong's second largest source market. December's arrivals were the region's highest ever in a single month at 247,988 (+30.5%), with WinterFest proving a popular draw.

Relatively slower growth in Taiwan saw the region slip into third place with 2,074,795 arrivals (+12%). December saw monthly arrivals move back into positive growth (183,527, +5.6%) for the first time since June.

Arrivals from North Asia saw 34.8% growth at 1,665,440, spearheaded by an excellent performance from South Korea (539,190, +46.4%) which broke a record dating back to 1996. Arrivals from Japan (1,126,250, +29.9%) saw slower growth, especially in the early part of the year, but gained momentum in May. In December, monthly arrivals from North Asia reached their highest of the year at 174,770 (+34.3%).

Long-hauls

In the long-haul markets, the Americas regained its place as the leading market region with 1,399,572 (+51.2%) arrivals, beating the previous record of 1.35 million set in 2002. Both the US (1,051,696, +53.8%) and Canada (273,925, +46.6%) also broke their 2002 record high totals. December saw encouraging growth of 24.5% to 121,073 arrivals.

Europe, Africa and the Middle East finished with 1,379,992 arrivals (+45.8%), including 108,078 (+14.2%) in December. The UK led the group, with its 411,287 arrivals (+46.2%) being the highest since 1996.

Germany (169,661, +45.1%) and France (148,131, +54.6%) showed slower recovery early on but were boosted in the second half of the year by the strong value of the euro. Germany has now almost regained its 2002 levels and France has already done so. The Netherlands, though a smaller market, recorded its best-ever performance with 72,248 arrivals (+51.3%). So too did the Middle East (91,030, +36.6%) and South Africa (54,371, +85.7%).

Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, though the smallest of the seven market regions, showed the highest growth rate of them all with a 57.8% rise to 483,247 arrivals, breaking the previous record of 425,322 set in 1996. Both Australia (408,940 arrivals, +60.8%) and New Zealand (71,742, +48.0%) also broke their old records dating back to 2000 and 1996. December arrivals from the region were the highest on record, passing 50,000 for the first time to reach 50,689 (+46.0%).

Some 62.6% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, a small rise on the 62.3% who did so in 2003. The average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses reached 91% in December and 88% for the whole of 2004 - both figures the highest since 1996.

hkskyline

February 9th, 2005, 05:23 PM

South China Morning Post
February 8, 2005
Hoteliers looking forward to a very good year The arrival of Mickey Mouse can only push up room rates

A stronger economy and soaring tourist arrivals are expected to lift average room rates at Hong Kong hotels by as much as 20 per cent this year, according to analysts and industry sources.

Last year's record-breaking performance in visitor arrivals and room occupancy is expected to spill over to this year, further rejuvenating the sector and boosting rates close to the peaks set in 1996.

One milestone driving tourism is the imminent acquisition of Hong Kong permanent residency by United States media stars Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, expected in September when Hong Kong Disneyland opens its gates on Lantau Island.

"This year will be a very good year, better than 2004," said Nigel Summers, the director of regional hotel consultant group Horwath Asia Pacific. "A key factor will be the opening of Disneyland, which will have a fantastic impact on tourist arrivals."

An increasing number of international trade fairs and conferences is also set to boost arrival numbers.

Mr Summers anticipated the new crowds of business and leisure travellers would fuel a 15 per cent increase in average room charges per night this year.

UBS analyst Eric Wong maintained a more aggressive nightly rate growth estimate of 20 per cent this year, noting that tourist arrivals and occupancy levels reached fresh highs during the seasonal low seasons of July and December last year.

"The outlook is one of tight capacity, with occupancy rising slightly and rates rising significantly more."

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board's latest statistics, December arrivals hit a record 2.08 million, 16.3 per cent higher than the same period in 2003.

The tourism bull run closed out the year with 21.36 million visitors, 40.3 per cent higher than Sars-battered 2003, the worst season since the Asian financial crisis in 1998.

Even when compared with 2002, last year's tourist arrivals shot up almost 33 per cent, and all visitor markets except Taiwan posted marked growth in arrivals to Hong Kong.

The strong growth pushed average occupancy rates up to 88 per cent last year from 70 per cent in 2003.

The average room charge, at $ 803 per night, was 19 per cent above 2003 and 13 per cent above 2002.

Tourists are not the only group of visitors chasing hotel beds. Business was so brisk that some mainland-based Hong Kong businessmen were forced to "hotel -hop" on Hong Kong Island even for a brief stay back home.

However, the Hong Kong Hotels Association is setting a more cautious tone on the outlook of the sector.

Executive director James Lu Shien-kwai believed a 25 per cent rise in hotel inventory to 40,000 rooms this year could weaken growth in the average room rates.

Extra supply will come from the 396-room Four Seasons hotel at Hong Kong Station; the new 113-room Mandarin Oriental hotel at Landmark in Central; two hotels at Disneyland and numerous new three-star hotels around the city.

"Based on our experience in the past 20 years, a fair guess is 10 per cent growth in average room rates this year," Mr Lu said. "Even considering the growth rate, we are still more than 10 per cent below the peak in 1996."

Although the tourism and hospitality sector had been on a roller-coaster ride over the past few years and the industry appeared to be heading up again, the landscape had changed since its glory days, he said.

"Operating costs, such as labour and electricity tariffs, are much higher than in 1996, putting downward pressure on hoteliers' profitability," Mr Lu said.

There were swing factors, which might derail a full-scale recovery of the segment, he said.

He pointed to uncertainty about the outbound market trend of mainland tourists, the risk of another disease outbreak and the number of visitors to Disneyland.

hkskyline

February 12th, 2005, 02:41 AM

Surge in mainland individual visitors
127,000 arrive in HK over the past week under solo travellers' scheme
Felix Lo
12 February 2005
South China Morning Post

The number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong as independent travellers for the Lunar New Year holiday has jumped 76 per cent over the same period last year.

Of 259,000 mainland visitors recorded from Friday last week to Thursday this week, 127,000 came through the Individual Travellers Scheme, the Immigration Department said.

They were among a total of 3.6 million inbound and outbound tourists recorded by the department during the week-long period.

"We estimate that as many as 14,000 individual travellers [will] travel through Lowu [today] alone," said Wai Chuen, the department's divisional border commander said.

The increase in the number of mainland tourists comes after the number of cities under the Individual Traveller Scheme rose to 32, from just four when the scheme was launched in 2003.

Up to 150 million people from cities in Guangdong, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces as well as Beijing and Shanghai are eligible.

Despite the crowds, tourists were generally satisfied with the service at the border, where 65 arrival counters were open for service.

"It took only 10 minutes to cross the border," a traveller identifying himself as Mr Wai said.

A Ms Yang said it took her 90 minutes to travel from Shenzhen to Hong Kong, and that she was generally satisfied with the process. "I thought I would have to spend half a day to cross the checkpoint. But it has [not even] taken me two hours to do so," she said, holding her baby.

A Ms Zou from Jilin, who was travelling with six others in her family, said she also was satisfied with the immigration procedures on both sides of the border, although she did complain about over-crowding on the Hong Kong side.

While it took her only eight minutes to pass through from Shenzhen, it took about half an hour to enter Hong Kong.

Immigration official Mr Wai said Monday would be another peak day, as more than 200,000 mainlanders were expected to cross the border.

hkskyline

February 27th, 2005, 05:52 PM

Australians add to Hong Kong's visitor flood
By Stephen Dabkowski
February 28, 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/images/masthead_logo_small.gif

More than 400,000 Australians visited Hong Kong last year.

Hong Kong has fully rebounded as a tourist destination following the difficulties created by SARS in 2003 - and Australians are leading the way in the growth in tourist numbers.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board last week announced that in 2004 it had received 21.8 million visitors from around the world, a new record.

Visitors from Australia reached 408,000 last year - up 61 per cent on 2003, which was affected by SARS. The figures show the number of Australian tourists travelling to Hong Kong in 2004 was 19 per cent higher than in pre-SARS 2002.

The main reason for the growth in tourism numbers out of Australia was increased air capacity to Hong Kong.

In the past year Cathy Pacific alone has added an extra 1000 seats a week out of Melbourne.

In addition Qantas has substantially increased its capacity to Hong Kong over the past year as Virgin Atlantic has just begun services linking Sydney with the Asian destination.

"Australians showed their usual resilience by leading the rest of the world in coming back to Hong Kong, post SARS, in unbelievable numbers and continued to increase their travel throughout 2004," said Andrew Clark, the regional director for Australia of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. "With the expansion in air capacity and the strong Australian dollar making Hong Kong even better value, 2005 is already shaping up for another record year," he said.

"With the opening of a range of family attractions such as HK Disneyland on September 12, the Wetland Park and the Tung Chung cable car in early 2006, we also expect Hong Kong to become a new favourite with families from the end of the year," Mr Clark said.

The tourism recovery in Hong Kong has extended to the hotels sector. Figures produced by the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed the average occupancy rate across all hotels in Hong Kong was 88 per cent in 2004 - the highest since 1996.

The average hotel room rate was $HK803 ($A130), a 19 per cent improvement on 2003.

hkskyline

March 1st, 2005, 03:52 AM

February 28, 2005
Government Press Release
January sees record 1.89m visitors

January tourist arrivals hit 1,893,078, up 8.3% on last year and breaking the month's record of 1.75 million.

The Tourism Board said as the Lunar New Year holiday fell in January last year but February this year, a direct comparison is difficult, especially for individual markets. Generally the Lunar New Year month is a low season for business travel, but a peak period for leisure traffic.

The three long-haul market regions from where typically around 40% of arrivals are business-related, all showed strong comparative growth, with arrivals from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific up 48.1% to 51,552, those from Europe, Africa and the Middle East up 44.6% to 120,018, and those from the Americas up 37.8% to 120,362.

Other market regions to perform exceptionally well were North Asia (+61.4%, 169,600 arrivals) and South and Southeast Asia (+49.6%, 164,523).

But Mainland arrivals showed a rare fall in year-on-year growth, easing 4.5% to 1,065,487, as last year's January arrivals were boosted by the Golden Week holiday, whereas the same peak travel surge will not be seen until the February results this year. Taiwan, for similar reasons, showed a 3.6% drop to 164,183.

Modest growth

The board's Executive Director Clara Chong said it is very likely the picture will be reversed in February, with arrivals from the long-haul markets easing off but the Mainland surging.

"We already know that Mainland arrivals were very strong over the Lunar New Year period, especially amongst individual travellers, with the International Chinese New Year Night Parade and other festive attractions proving a popular draw. We also drew a lot of family groups from around Southeast Asia for this event," she said.

Ms Chong said given the very high starting base, with the Mainland and a number of other key source markets having achieved record arrivals last year, the board set a fairly conservative target of 22.9 million arrivals for this year, representing an increment of over one million arrivals, on top of the 6.3 million growth achieved last year.

"We also have to bear in mind that with Disneyland not opening until later in the year, some travellers may choose to delay their visit. Hence we are predicting more modest growth this year, but another surge in 2006," she said.

More frequent visits

On length of stay, the board's forecast is 3.7 nights, same as last year but higher than the 3.6 nights achieved in 2002, despite the continued growth in the number of Mainland travellers under the Individual Visit Scheme who tend to visit more often, but for shorter periods.

In January, 64.4% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, compared with 64.7% in January 2004. The remaining 35.6% were classified as "same-day in-town" visitors, departing for another destination on the same day as arrival, a trend reflecting Hong Kong's increasing importance as a regional transport hub.

The average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses was 88%, the highest January figure since 1989.

All different hotel categories and locations performed well with those in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui achieving 90% occupancy. The average achieved hotel room rate was $906, growth of nearly 23% on the January 2004 figure.

hkskyline

March 3rd, 2005, 08:14 AM

Peninsula operator up 64pc
But Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels warns solid growth in 2004 may prove difficult to sustain
Denise Tsang
02 March 2005
South China Morning Post

Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels enjoyed its best year since 1997 last year, reporting a better than expected 64 per cent growth in net profit to $574 million.

The group is the latest hotelier to benefit from the recovery in the tourism and hospitality sector, with its flagship property, the Peninsula Hong Kong, reporting its highest revenue since the handover.

Chief executive Clement Kwok King-man said the strong run had spilled into the first two months of this year, but warned that last year's profit growth might not last in 2005.

"It is a challenge to grow the business by 65 per cent again this year - 65 per cent is a very, very high growth rate, and we are talking about a relatively lower base of comparison in 2003 due to the Sars outbreak," Mr Kwok said.

"We will work very hard to improve the quality of existing assets and develop new projects in Shanghai and Tokyo."

Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels' profit beat a Thomson First Call consensus of $429.5 million. Earnings per share soared 41 per cent to 41 cents. A final dividend of nine cents per share was recommended, taking the full-year payout 50 per cent higher than 2003 to 12 cents. At $3.11 billion, turnover was up 24 per cent.

The group's portfolio comprising nine hotels in Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Manila, New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, and Carmel in California did well across the board in terms of occupancy and average room rates.

The Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui posted the highest annual revenue since 1997, with a jump of 20 per cent to $768 million last year, helped by the growing number of mainland visitors and the return of long-haul travellers, Mr Kwok said.

The hotel was 77 per cent occupied on average last year, 20 percentage points higher than 2003. However, growth in the hotel's average room rate lagged behind at 13.77 per cent to $2,659 per night.

"There were several years of very strong business in Hong Kong before the handover and at that time occupancy and room rates were very high," Mr Kwok said. "That's why it has taken a number of years to recover and even now we have not exceeded the 1997 levels. There is still further potential for us to continue to improve."

With the $1.93 billion sale of the group's lower-end Kowloon Hotel next to the Peninsula Hong Kong, Mr Kwok said the bulk of an estimated $800 million non-recurring gain from the sale would be recognised this year.

He said the sale would not create an earnings shortfall this year as the gain would offset some finance costs for the Tokyo project.

Although rival Ritz Carlton will open its second hotel in Hong Kong in 2008 and Regent and Hilton are seeking to return to the city, Mr Kwok said the Peninsula had no plans to open another hotel.

"A second hotel in Hong Kong is unlikely because the philosophy of Peninsula is to try to put all of our efforts into making a very, very good quality hotel," he said. "By having one Peninsula hotel in each city, we hope it will be the best or one of the best in the city. It is difficult to create that image if there is more than one Peninsula in a city."

Peninsula also planned to open a hotel in Europe, preferably in London, Mr Kwok said, adding the project would be opportunistic given the group's "demanding" requirement on location of property.

hkskyline

March 4th, 2005, 05:51 PM

Friday March 4, 5:42 PM
Hong Kong to Build 35 Hotels in Five Years

HONG KONG, March 4 Asia Pulse - Hong Kong will build 35 hotels in five years, Hong Kong's Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands Michael Suen told the Legislative Council here.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) "Hotel SupplySituation as at September 2004," 35 hotels will be completed in the coming five years with a total of 14,973 rooms.

He went on to say that HKTB classifies the hotels in Hong Kong into "high tariff A," "high tariff B" and "medium tariff" based ontheir facilities, location, staff to room ratio, achieved room rate and business mix. More than half of the new hotels will be expected to be medium tariff ones, he said.

All along, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has been business-friendly to facilitate the development of the hotel industry, he noted.

hkskyline

March 4th, 2005, 05:53 PM

March 4, 2005
Government Press Release
Sai Kung's tourism role strengthened

The role of Sai Kung Town as a gateway to the district's recreational outlets will be strengthened, the Town Planning Board says, adding the character of both the town centre and the traditional rural township will be preserved.

The new draft Outline Zoning Plan for Sai Kung Town, which covers about 105 hectares was published today.

The general urban design concept is to create a number of activity nodes along the promenade at Sai Kung Town North, and to encourage the use of public transport and pedestrian circulation between strategic locations.

To strengthen Sai Kung Town as a tourism gateway, about 11.2 hectares designated for specific uses, such as commercial, cultural, hotel, recreational, heritage tourism, beach-related leisure, multi-storey vehicle park, boat servicing, petrol station, public transport terminus and pier uses, have been zoned Other Specified Uses.

Waterfront promenade

About 6.5 hectares and 4.4 hectares has been zoned Recreation and Open Space respectively to provide land for recreational developments and a continuous waterfront promenade from the former Sai Sha Hotel to the Marine Police East Divisional Headquarters to the south.

Half a hectare has been zoned Commercial to serve the immediate neighbourhood. About 7.7 hectares is Comprehensive Development Area for medium-rise residential or commercial development in the north-western area to provide impetus for redevelopment.

About 2.3 hectares in the town centre is zoned Residential (Group A). Another 5.4 hectares, which covers the existing Lakeside Garden, Tui Min Hoi Chuen and Man Yee Fishermen Housing Estate, is zoned Residential (Group B). About half a hectare is zoned Residential (Group C) for the existing low-density residential development of Costa Bello.

To phase out the existing incompatible industrial uses, about 2.7 hectares is zoned Residential (Group E) to encourage redevelopment.

Rural township

To preserve rural township character, about 12 hectares has been zoned Village-type Development to provide land for the three existing recognised villages, the old town, Lake Court on Hong Kin Road and three former fishing settlements.

About half a hectare near Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works is zoned Industrial (Group D) for industrial uses that cannot be accommodated in conventional flatted factories. About 15.4 hectares is zoned G/IC to provide land for facilities serving the needs of local residents or a wider district.

Another 12.6 hectares, covering densely vegetated slopes at Tui Min Hoi, is zoned Green Belt to define the limit of development and to contain urban sprawl. Some 7.7 hectares of land is zoned Country Park to reflect the part of the gazetted Tsiu Hang Special Area and Ma On Shan Country Park included in the planning scheme area.

Anyone affected by the plan can submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board by May 4.

hkskyline

March 10th, 2005, 08:27 AM

March 9, 2005
Government Press Release
Tourism spending reaches $91.8b

Hong Kong's record-breaking 21.8 million visitor arrivals last year brought a substantial boost to the economy, with total expenditure associated to inbound tourism reaching $91.8 billion.

Both major components of tourism expenditure also recorded strong increases. Payments made by visitors for goods and services consumed in Hong Kong grew to $69.6 billion. Of this, 55% was contributed by a record 12.2 million Mainland arrivals.

Despite an increase in overall destination consumption expenditure by overnight Mainland visitors to $33.9 billion, per capita spending for this market fell to $4,355. This was due largely to the radically different behaviour of visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme.

Across all markets, the destination expenditure contributed by overnight visitors was $61.1 billion, while same-day in-town visitors spent $5.6 billion.

Receipts of Hong Kong-based carriers for the cross-boundary transportation of non-resident visitors by air, sea or land also surged to $22.3 billion.

Similar trend

Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong said the substantial increase in last year's expenditure is encouraging and reflected the growing contribution made by tourism to Hong Kong's economy.

She said the Individual Visit Scheme has given Hong Kong the opportunity to increase further the number of Mainland visitors, especially at low season periods, and to stimulate impulsive consumption to maximise the overall returns for Hong Kong.

Ms Chong expected to see a similar trend maintained this year, with continued growth in Individual Visit Scheme travel having some dilution effect on per capita spending, but overall arrivals growth bringing a further increase in total tourism expenditure.

hkskyline

March 16th, 2005, 10:01 AM

March 16, 2005
2005-06 Budget - Government Press Release
$0.5b proposed to bolster tourism

Half a billion dollars should be earmarked to further develop Hong Kong's thriving tourist industry.

In his Budget address today, Financial Secretary Henry Tang made the proposal saying the Government aims to attract more than 1.2 million additional visitors in the next two years, and get them to stay longer. He expects $10 billion in economic benefits.

The Tourism Board will launch a series of strategic global publicity and promotion programmes over the next two years. A major strategy is to designate 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year. The board anticipates that by the end of 2006, the overall number of visitor arrivals will exceed 27 million.

The Government will also use the money to develop new attractions, such as ecotourism in the Northern New Territories, and enhance existing tourism resources such as Ocean Park.

Top job source

"Tourism is an important sector of our economy. It raises Hong Kong's international profile and greatly benefits various aspects of our economic and cultural development. It also provides many job opportunities. The Government will continue to support projects to improve tourism facilities and the work of the Tourism Board to promote the industry further and maintain our standing as Asia's preferred tourist destination," he said.

"We expect 2005 to be an even better year for the tourism industry. Hong Kong Disneyland is scheduled to open in September, and recruitment of 5,000 staff is fully underway."

He said from 2000 to 2003, tourism created 25,000 new jobs. Last year, visitor arrivals reaching an all-time high of 21.81 million, up a third on 2002.

Several new hotels will open by the end of 2006, providing about 14,000 rooms and employment for 7,500 people.

hkskyline

March 17th, 2005, 12:05 AM

Facelift for Ocean Park as tourism gets $500m boost
Sylvia Hui, Hong Kong Standard
March 17, 2005

This year's budget aims to stimulate the city's vibrant tourism industry, with proposed spending of HK$500 million over two years to fund international publicity campaigns and an overhaul of Ocean Park.

Following record visitor arrivals last year, 2005 is expected to see further growth in Hong Kong's tourism industry.

The new funding is expected to generate nearly HK$10 billion in economic benefits and attract more than 1.2 million additional visitors in the next two years, Henry Tang said in his budget speech.

Total visitor numbers are expected to exceed 27 million in 2006.

While Hong Kong Disneyland will open this September, major developments for Ocean Park are also planned, Tang said.

The proposals were recently submitted to the government and include a spa hotel, likely on Lantau, and other ambitious plans.

Ocean Park chairman Allan Zeman said new schemes for the theme park would be unveiled tomorrow.

Suggestions to provide the 27-year-old park with its own MTR station, two hotels and cafes, restaurants and shops were made last year.

"What we've said last year is only 5percent of what you'll see on Friday," Zeman said Wednesday. He refused to provide further details.

The plans are independent of measures to promote Disneyland, Zeman said, but they will "hopefully be compatible with Disneyland" and result in benefits for both theme parks.

More than four million visited Ocean Park last year, a record, but Zeman said last year that construction of the MTR South Island line is essential for the park's survival in its future fight with Disneyland.

The line, if built, would comprise a loop from Wong Chuk Hang via Happy Valley to Wan Chai.

The proposal is still being studied but has faced stiff opposition from bus and minibus operators.

Tang said a vibrant tourism industry and a large number of job opportunities will result with the opening of Disneyland, as well as the completion of the Tung Chung cable car system, the Hong Kong Wetland Park and the second phase of the "Symphony of Lights" project by the end of this year or early in the next.

Disney is recruiting 5,000 staff and another 7,500 jobs will be created with the opening of new hotels next year.

The new attractions will be promoted globally with the "Discover Hong Kong Year" scheme, to be launched late this year.

Families and business travelers will be key targets, Tang said.

Hong Kong's tourism industry recovered quickly after the Sars outbreak in 2003.

Visitor arrivals reached an unprecedented high of 21.8 million last year, an increase of almost one third compared with 2002.

Last year, nearly 4.3 million mainlanders visited the city under the individual visit scheme, while the number of visitors from traditional long-haul markets increased 8 percent, breaking the record set in 2002.

Tang said the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council and the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council will each receive HK$5 million in funding for marketing.

No timetable or site has been proposed for the Container Terminal 10, however.

hkskyline

March 17th, 2005, 07:45 AM

Hyatt Regency seeks more room in Kowloon
Talks under way with New World on premium development
Denise Tsang
17 March 2005
South China Morning Post

The operator of the Hyatt Regency hotel on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui that is due to close at the start of next year is planning to move to nearby Hanoi Road.

Chicago-based Global Hyatt Corp is in talks with New World Development over a management contract for a 320-room premium hotel as part of a one million square foot redevelopment project by New World and the Urban Renewal Authority.

The hotelier's desire for a bigger presence in Hong Kong underscored its optimism on prospects for tourism and hospitality.

New World spokesman Kwan Chuk-fai yesterday said the firm was talking to a number of "international hotel companies" about a management contract for the four-star or above hotel project due for completion in 2007.

However, he declined to name candidates. Hyatt Regency marketing manager Henrietta Ho declined to comment.

December 31 will mark the end of the Hyatt Regency's 36 years in Nathan Road as demolition begins in January next year.

The building's owner, Associated International Hotels, decided in October last year to convert the 723-room hotel and shopping arcade into a retail and office complex, which it believes will yield higher investment returns.

Sources familiar with the Hanoi Road project said Hyatt was the front-runner, partly because of the hotelier's long-standing co-operation with New World - the luxurious 570-room Grand Hyatt in Wan Chai is 64 per cent owned by New World and managed by Hyatt.

The Hyatt Regency was the company's first international offshoot when it opened in 1969. A Hong Kong presence also fits the group's mainland strategy, which commits it to opening eight hotels with 2,644 rooms by 2008.

hkskyline

March 18th, 2005, 06:59 AM

Thursday March 17, 6:15 PM
Hong Kong raises its forecast for tourism traffic in 2005

AP - The Hong Kong Tourism Board said Thursday it expects greater growth in tourist traffic this year, raising its forecast for visitor arrivals for the year to a record 23.41 million, from 22.9 million.

Hong Kong received 21.8 million visitors in 2004, up 40 percent from 2003, when Hong Kong's tourism industry was affected by the SARS outbreak.

"We expect that our promotional activities ... will have a positive impact on 2005 arrivals," HKTB Chairwoman Selina Chow said.

Financial Secretary Henry Tang said in his budget speech Wednesday that he proposed to earmark HK$500 million (US$64.10 million, euro47.86 million) for tourism funding.

HKTB also expects visitor arrivals to reach 27.14 million in 2006, with total tourism expenditure to reach HK$114.7 billion (US$14.70 billion, euro10.98 billion).

"With several new infrastructure projects, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong Wetland Park and Tung Chung Cable Car coming on stream, 2006 presents a golden opportunity for Hong Kong to take center stage," said Chow.

hkskyline

March 19th, 2005, 02:45 AM

March 18, 2005
Government Press Release
Aberdeen facelift to entice tourists

http://news.gov.hk/tc/category/businessandfinance/050318/html/050318aber600.jpg
Aberdeen attractions: The traditional and modern features of tourist haven Aberdeen will be show-cased in a new plan to further its visitor appeal.

The traditional and modern features of tourist haven Aberdeen will be showcased in a new plan to further its visitor appeal.

The Tourism Commission and the Planning Department are developing an initial concept plan for the Aberdeen Tourism Project to complement the Ocean Park redevelopment.

Tourism Commissioner Eva Cheng said today the redevelopment will enhance Hong Kong's position as the preferred destination for family tourism and will complement Hong Kong Disneyland.

The plan comprises three thematic clusters: a traditional fishing harbour along the Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau Promenade, a fisherman's wharf at Tai Shue Wan proposed for development by Ocean Park, linked by the existing leisure and dining node off the coast of Sham Wan.

Broad concept

The plan has evolved from the planning framework of the Focus Study on Aberdeen Harbour conducted by the department from 2001 to 2003 and has taken into account the redevelopment plan just submitted by Ocean Park.

There will be enhancement and beautification works on both sides of Aberdeen Harbour, including the provision and upgrading of landing steps, streetscape improvements, more greenery, provision of signage, and new vantage points for the appreciation of the fishing community.

To leverage on Aberdeen's unique character and tradition, the commission will also explore opportunities for developing exotic sampan tours within the harbour, linking two sides of the promenade and the new wharf and other locations.

Ms Cheng said the Southern District Council, local organisations and businesses, relevant trade operators and other stakeholders will be fully consulted on the plan later this year.

hkskyline

March 27th, 2005, 03:59 AM

Thai visitors to Hong Kong up 70% last year
Bangkok Post
Saturday 26 March 2005

The number of Thai visitors to Hong Kong jumped 70% last year to a record high of 316,910, fuelled by attractive promotional packages, major events, competitive airfares, and additional flight capacity provided by new airlines.

The surge in Thai visitors pushed Hong Kong's total tourist arrivals in 2004 to 21,810,630, outstripping the Hong Kong Tourism Board's forecast of 21.36 million, and up nearly one-third on the previous record of 16.57 million achieved in 2002.

Overall growth for the year was 40.4% compared with 2003, when Hong Kong was badly affected by the impact of Sars in the second quarter of the year.

David Leung, regional director for South and Southeast Asia at the HKTB, said that December arrivals from Thailand alone stood at 41,000 with a 37.3% boost credited to the Hong Kong Winterfest attraction.

hkskyline

April 1st, 2005, 05:08 PM

April 1, 2005
Government Press Release
February sees record visitor arrivals

February saw 1,745,133 visitor arrivals, up 20% over a year earlier, the month's best on record. The Tourism Board said total arrivals for the year so far are 3,638,211, up 13.6% on last year.

All long- and short-haul market regions showed positive growth over the first two months of this year, notably North Asia (43.9%), South & Southeast Asia (32.6%), Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific (28.6%), the US (16.5%) and Europe, Africa and the Middle East (13.6%). Taiwan showed a 9.6% growth after a difficult year in 2004 while the Mainland was 8.6%.

February arrivals from the Mainland reached 1,041,061, up 26.2% over a year earlier. Of these, 496,932 arrived under the Individual Visit Scheme - 47.7% of the total, which is the highest proportion to date in any month since the scheme's launch in July 2003. In total, Hong Kong has now welcomed 2,106,548 Mainland visitors so far this year, up 8.6% on 2004, including 963,593 travelling as individuals.

Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong said the Lunar New Year period has become a popular time to visit Hong Kong for leisure, as evidenced by double-digit growth in key markets including the Philippines, the UK, Singapore, South Korea, the US and Australia during the 10-day celebration period. More than 707,000 arrivals were recorded, a surge of 14.5% over last year.

She said the differing dates of the festival in 2004 and 2005 created sharp fluctuations between January and February growth rates in certain markets. However, markets including South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and Canada performed well in both months.

Staying longer

In February, 64.1% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, compared with only 61.6% for the same month last year. The remaining 35.9% were classified as "same-day in-town" visitors, departing for another destination on the same day as arrival, a trend that reflects Hong Kong's increasing importance as a regional transport hub.

For the first two months of this year, 64.2% of all visitors have stayed for one night or longer, compared with 63.3% in 2004.

The average occupancy of hotels and tourist guest houses reached 77% in February, down 1% over a year earlier. The figure reflected an increased supply of some 3,200 hotel rooms during the intervening period.

The highest occupancy was achieved in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, at 79%, followed by Tsim Sha Tsui at 78%. The average hotel room rate was $799, a growth of almost 16% on the 2004 figure.

hkskyline

April 1st, 2005, 05:52 PM

Shangri-La more optimistic as business traffic increases
Foster Wong
1 April 2005
South China Morning Post

Shangri-La Asia, the region's largest upmarket hotel chain, expects increasing business traffic to boost occupancy at its two Hong Kong hotels this year and lift room rates.

Occupancy should rise 10 per cent and the average room rate could jump 20 per cent, the company said yesterday.

Hong Kong was Shangri-La's second-biggest market after the mainland by revenue last year and commanded the highest room rate among the 45 hotels it operates.

"Business activities are growing globally," chief executive and managing director Giovanni Angelini said. "It looks like an uptrend of strong occupancy and room rate will continue throughout the region. Hong Kong is always the first market to react in the region."

Mr Angelini said he did not expect the two upcoming luxury hotels in Central - Four Seasons Hotel and Mandarin Oriental - to erode business.

He said an increase in tourist arrivals this year should offset new hotel room supply.

The mainland will remain the firm's key earnings driver this year.

Mr Angelini said the 375-room phase two of Pudong Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai would open in the middle of the year, followed by the 750-room Shangri-La Pazhou in Guangzhou next year.

Last year, the company's Hong Kong occupancy was 71 per cent with an average room rate of US$207, compared with 45 per cent occupancy and a US$188 average room rate in 2003.

In the first quarter, occupancy at the Kowloon and Island Shangri-La hotels averaged 73 per cent, up from 66 per cent last year, while the average room rate grew to US$239 from US$195.

Its Hong Kong arm outperformed the group's average occupancy of 70 per cent and average room rate of US$107 in the period.

Mr Angelini's optimism for the group's outlook came after it posted 94.7 per cent growth in last year's earnings to US$141.48 million yesterday, against the market forecast of US$147.52 million in a poll by Thomson Financial.

The mainland remained its biggest market, contributing US$78.1 million in profit, up from US$53.6 million in 2003.

Its Hong Kong segment posted an US$8.8 million profit, compared with a loss of US$9.7 million in 2003 during the Sars scare.

Shangri-La now had 16 hotel projects under development, which would provide 6,591 more rooms for the firm by 2009, chief financial officer Madhu Rao said.

hkskyline

April 10th, 2005, 05:37 AM

Four Seasons recruitment drive to offer 1,000 jobs
Chloe Lai
08 April 2005
South China Morning Post

One thousand jobs at the Four Seasons Hotel will go on offer at its three-day recruitment drive which starts tomorrow, giving the local job market another shot in the arm.

The hotel in Central, scheduled to open in September, is seeking staff for its reception, restaurants, security operations, shops and health club.

Last week Hong Kong Disneyland recruited 3,000 workers, offering above-market wages for cleaners and waiters, especially those who can speak more than one language.

The Four Seasons job fair will run from 10am to 7pm at the IFC Mall. "We want to attract the most talented, enthusiastic and promising staff available in Hong Kong," said William Mackay, vice-president and general manager of the hotel. The Toronto-based luxury hotel group said people without hotel experience could apply.

Jean Forrest, the hotel's regional marketing director, said the jobs would have competitive wages, but declined to disclose details.

Every applicant will be interviewed and shortlisted candidates called back for more.

Ms Forrest said: "There will be four to five rounds of interviews. The general manager will meet every one of them."

The 399-room hotel - the group's largest in Asia - will also have 519 serviced apartments for long-stay guests. It will boast three restaurants and a 200,000 sq ft spa. The hotel will not be the group's first presence in Hong Kong. Until June, 2001, it managed the Regent Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. The hotel was sold off and became the InterContinental Hotel.

Hong Kong's jobless rate improved sharply in February, dropping by 0.3 of a percentage point to 6.1 per cent, the biggest fall for 15 months, Census and Statistics Department figures show.

The rate was last below 6.1 per cent in November, 2001.

hkskyline

April 11th, 2005, 06:58 PM

Visitor forecast given a boost as funding rises
Murray Bailey
11 April 2005
South China Morning Post

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has increased its forecast for the number of visitors this year to 23.4 million from 22.9 million.

It follows a comment in this column last month that the board's forecast looked "at least one million [visitors] short".

The reason for the bigger numbers was the $500 million in additional funding for tourism announced in the government budget last month, the board said.

However, this explanation falls short, partly due to the board's statement that $470 million of those funds would be spent to attract visitors next year - now designated Discover Hong Kong Year.

One outcome of the forecast revision is that the board's projection of 27.1 million visitors next year looks more plausible.

Visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the first two months of this year were up 23 per cent.

However, despite apparent euphoria in the industry, that was only 16 per cent higher than the same period in 2000 - before the September 11 and Sars-induced downturns.

Research sponsored by Visa International for the World Tourism Organisation indicates that Hong Kong will suffer this year as travellers avoid Asia following the tsunami in December last year.

Hong Kong is a common stop-over for beachside destinations such as the Maldives and Phuket.

The February survey, which polled people in 10 countries across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, found that 9 per cent of respondents said they would no longer consider Asia as a holiday destination for this year.

Worse yet, 16 per cent of those considering a visit to Asia this year are planning to avoid Hong Kong. The figure represents the highest potential loss for any Asian destination not actually damaged by the tsunami.

Geographical misconceptions appear to have played a part in the survey results.

Two per cent of those polled believe Hong Kong was "seriously affected" by the tsunami, and another 10 per cent think it was "somewhat affected".

Even some would-be travellers from the mainland have apparently crossed Hong Kong off their lists, with 13 per cent of those considering a holiday in Asia this year giving us a miss.

Compiled by Murray Bailey, research director and editor, Travel Business Analyst

hkskyline

April 25th, 2005, 06:01 PM

Friday April 22
Hong Kong lawmaker urges govt to allow casinos to boost tourism

HONG KONG (AFX) - The government should consider allowing the establishment of casinos mixed with hotel and convention facilities to boost Hong Kong's tourism industry, Liberal Party legislator Howard Young said on a Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) program.

'Different Asian countries are considering allowing the establishment of casinos. I'm actually disappointed that Singapore has moved much quicker than Hong Kong in allowing and approving the setting up of casinos as a boost to tourism,' he said.

Young, who represents the tourism sector in the Legislative Council, also said that the Liberal Party had urged former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa last autumn to float the idea of allowing casinos in Hong Kong during his annual policy speech in February.

But Tung did not respond favorably to the suggestion, he said.

'Our idea is for a select number of casinos with hotel, convention and tourism facilities to be set up on Lantau Island and for the whole complex to cater mainly to tourists,' he said.

Minority shareholder activist David Webb said he sees no valid reason for the government not to allow the establishment of casinos when Hong Kong people are taking bets daily on stocks, including highly-speculative Macau plays, and other investment instruments.

If the government were to allow casinos to be set up here, it would be wrong to limit gaming concessions to a select few, just like what the Macau government is doing, he said.

'Let free market and competition reign. In the stock market, for instance, the number of stock brokers is not limited and those who are qualified and are able to compete are in business. There is no sense restricting the number of players,' he said.

Webb took issue with casino proponents' view that local people's access to any casinos set up here should be restricted in favor of tourists.

If their access were to be restricted, local people would simply go to Macau and other gambling destinations outside Hong Kong, he said.

An increasing number of Hong Kong companies are currently chasing casino-related development opportunities in different parts of the region.
On Wednesday, Melco International Development Ltd said it plans to submit a proposal to the Singapore government to build a proposed 2.5 bln sgd integrated resort there.

Its move came after Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's announcement in Parliament on Monday of the government's decision to proceed with two proposed integrated resort and casino projects on two sites that it has previously identified.

Melco managing director Lawrence Ho Yau Lung said the group intends to undertake the project in a joint venture with Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (PBL), its pan-Asian partner in the gaming, leisure and entertainment business.
Meanwhile, K Wah International Holdings Ltd said earlier this week that its unit K Wah Construction has agreed to pay 18.41 bln hkd to acquire a 97.9 pct stake in Galaxy Casino, holder of one of three gaming concessions in Macau.

(1 usd = 7.8 hkd)

hkskyline

April 25th, 2005, 06:03 PM

LCQ11: Supply of hotel rooms
Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Following is a question by the Hon Abraham Shek and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (April 20):

Question:

As I have received many complaints from members of the tourism industry that there are insufficient three-star hotel rooms to meet the demand of an increasing number of Mainland tourists, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it has formulated short-term and long-term measures to increase the supply of three-star hotel rooms; if so, of the details of these measures; if not, the reasons for that; and

(b) it will streamline the procedure for processing applications for development of hotels on sites originally designated for industrial use; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The Government believes the supply of hotels should be a matter for the market. According to the information of the Planning Department and the Hong Kong Tourism Board as at December 2004, the number of hotel rooms will increase by about 14,000 by end-2006, bringing the total number of rooms from 39,000 to about 53,000. Based on the location, facilities and the number of rooms to be provided as reported, it is expected that more than half of them will be medium tariff hotels. This reflects that the market has been responsive to the tourism growth and changing trend to meet the demands of visitors. The Government will continue to monitor the supply of hotel rooms closely.

(b) With a role to provide business-friendly conditions, the Government has been facilitating various sectors (including the hotel industry) to operate under a better business environment through streamlining regulatory regimes and simplifying administrative procedures.

In respect of planning, the Outline Zoning Plans provide the necessary flexibility in meeting the diverse demands from developers. The Town Planning Board (TPB) has re-zoned a number of land originally designated for industrial use into "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Business" ("OU(B)") zone. Planning applications for hotel development on these sites are not uncommon and all applications will be considered by the TPB within 2 months upon receipt, under the Town Planning Ordinance. Since 2003, 37 new applications for hotel development in "OU(B)" zone (which were previously zoned for industrial use) have been approved by the TPB in areas such as Wong Chuk Hang, Kwun Tong, San Po Kong and Cheung Sha Wan.

Where in line with the planning intention, the Lands Department processes applications of developers for lease modification to allow hotel development with premium charged according to the prevailing policies.

Where the Outline Zoning Plan and the lease conditions permit, the developers may choose whether to develop a hotel or a domestic building on a site. Under the Building (Planning) Regulation 23A, the Building Authority may treat a hotel building as a "non-domestic building" for permitting a higher plot ratio and site coverage. This provides the incentives for developers to develop hotel buildings.

The Government will continue to simplify the whole development approval procedures, including those in processing applications for development of hotels on sites originally designated for industrial use and the lease modification, with a view to minimizing duplication and enhance efficiency.

hkskyline

April 30th, 2005, 05:06 PM

46萬內地客今起湧港
http://www.the-sun.com.hk/general/img/endmarker.gif
30/04/2005

【本報訊】五．一黃金周假期今日開始，入境處預計四十六萬內地客將於黃金周期間到港，遠至甘肅也有千人大型旅行團包火車前來遊覽。本港零售業摩拳擦掌，推出人民幣一兌一等優惠。不過，旅遊界預計本港今年首兩季入境遊生意比去年下跌百分之十五，擔心就算香港迪士尼於九月開幕，旅遊業能否在最後一季之內收回上半年的失地。

大批內地旅客今日起陸續抵港，香港入境團旅行社協會主席吳光偉說，今年入境遊市道未如去年般理想，黃金周前夕內地的查詢只是一般，三星酒店團體房間每晚房租只需四百至五百元，比平日更便宜。

另一方面，零售業推出不少搶客招數，海港城將舉辦黃金假期嘉年華，顧客購物滿五百元可獲贈購物袋。新都城中心也有優惠，內地遊客在五月一日至七日期間購物滿一千元，可憑發票及旅遊證件換領法國紅酒一支。屈臣氏藥房會推出人民幣一兌一優惠。馬會將於五月一日、四日及七日三次沙田賽事，容許持旅遊證件的遊客經指定的「黃金通道」入口免費進入沙田馬場。

hkskyline

May 2nd, 2005, 06:26 PM

May 2, 2005
Government Press Release
May 1 sees over 300,000 passenger arrivals

A total of 305,184 incoming passengers passed through the land, sea and air control points on May 1, while outgoing passengers amounted to 289,304, the Immigration Department says.

The department said of the incoming passengers, 149,583 arrived through Lo Wu, 73,629 through Lok Ma Chau and 32,912 through the airport.

Of the outgoing passengers, 139,252 departed through Lo Wu, 61,312 through Lok Ma Chau and 39,584 through the airport.

As at May 1, the total number of passenger arrivals for the Labour Day holiday period starting from April 30 is 582,476, while that for passenger departures is 672,074.

340,000 depart via Lo Wu

During the period, 340,626 people departed through Lo Wu and 140,363 through Lok Ma Chau; while 284,705 people arrived through Lo Wu and 139,822 through Lok Ma Chau.

The department expects 5.54 million people to pass through land, sea and air control points during the Labour Day holiday period, and peak arrivals at Lo Wu to fall on May 2 with 200,000 people.

To cope with anticipated traffic demand, the department has arranged for 209 officers to reinforce land and sea control points. Among them, 178 officers will be deployed to land boundary control points.

The department and Shenzhen authorities will strengthen co-operation and liaison to ensure smooth and orderly passenger traffic.

hkskyline

May 5th, 2005, 06:37 AM

LCQ1: Speedy services to facilitate entry of visitors from Taiwan
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Man-kwong and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (May 4):

Question:

Some Members have received a number of complaints alleging that the applications by former or incumbent Taiwan officials for entry into Hong Kong for academic and cultural exchanges or making personal visits often meet with procrastination or other difficulties. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of entry applications involving former or incumbent Taiwan officials that have been reported to the Central People's Government for approval in accordance with the Basic Principles and Policies of the Central People's Government on the handling of Taiwan-related Matters in Hong Kong after 1997 announced by former Vice-Premier Qian Qichen in 1995, (generally known as "Qian's Seven-point Principles"), over the past three years, and of the criteria adopted by the Hong Kong authorities for determining whether the activities of individual Taiwan Officials in Hong Kong are official contacts, or academic exchanges or visits in their personal capacity;

(b) whether it has briefly explained the reasons for refusal to the Taiwan residents who were refused entry into Hong Kong; if it has, of the reasons for such refusal in the past three years; and

(c) whether it will, in the light of the experience of the Macao authorities in handling the entry applications by Taiwan residents, consider adopting the measure of granting visa-on-arrival to Taiwan visitors, so as to promote exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Statistics on Taiwan Visit Permits processed by the Immigration Department (ImmD) in the past three years (i.e. 2002 to 2004) are set out below.

Year Received Approved Refused Withdrawn Being processed

at year-end

---- -------- -------- ------- --------- ---------------

2002 80,645 79,691 93 1,414 352

2003 51,625 49,928 92 1,272 685

2004 59,876 58,475 69 1,473 544

As Taiwan Visit Permits are made in the applicants' personal capacity, ImmD does not compile statistics on whether the applications involve Taiwan officials and the number of applications reported to the Central People's Government for approval.

In determining whether activities of individual Taiwan officials in Hong Kong are official contacts, the Administration will take into account all relevant factors and circumstances before making a decision.

(b) The Director of Immigration is not obliged under the prevailing law to provide any reason for rejecting an entry application. In general, the main reasons for rejecting entry applications include doubtful purpose of visit of the applicants, travel documents with limited validity period, insufficient funds, etc. ImmD does not compile statistics on the reasons for rejecting Taiwan Visit Permits.

(c) We have introduced a number of improvement measures in recent years to facilitate the entry of visitors from Taiwan. On March 18, 2002, the iPermit Scheme was introduced under which the processing time of applications only takes a few minutes. Under the iPermit Scheme, Taiwan residents only need to present identification documents at an authorised airline office in Taiwan. The airline staff will transmit the applicant's data to ImmD through the internet. The application will be processed automatically by the computer system of the Immigration Department. If the application is approved, the computer system will instantly send an "e-notification" to the airline office in Taiwan. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, the visitor may collect the entry permit at the airline's desk in the Hong Kong International Airport before proceeding to immigration counters for clearance.

From the introduction of the Scheme to March 31, 2005, ImmD issued 547,417 iPermits.

The iPermit Scheme offers speedy service to Taiwan residents who wish to visit Hong Kong. This service is more convenient and efficient than "visa on arrival". It also avoids inconvenience to visitors should their entry be refused after arrival. Moreover, as various control points need to process a large number of visitors, the processing of "visa on arrival" will lengthen the waiting time and cause inconvenience to Taiwan visitors as well as visitors from other countries/regions. We therefore have no plan to issue "visa on arrival".

hkskyline

May 6th, 2005, 02:37 PM

Solo mainland tourists up a third on last year
Dennis Eng
06 May 2005
South China Morning Post

About 151,000 more mainland tourists visited Hong Kong under the individual travel scheme from April 30 to May 4, a rise of about one-third compared with last year's Labour Day holiday, the tourism board said yesterday.

Total mainland visitor numbers during the break rose about 7 per cent to 262,000 tourists.

Clara Chong Ming-wah, the board's executive director, said the numbers were within expectations.

However, the board recorded a slight dip in the number of mainland tourists coming to Hong Kong on package tours.

"We did have a drop in these tour groups, but this did not really affect the travel industry as a whole as individual travellers also have to book hotel accommodation," said Michael Wu Siu-ieng, chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents.

Ms Chong said the number of Japanese visitors had recovered after a recent setback due to the violent anti-Japan protests on the mainland. "We experienced a marginal decline in the number of Japanese visitors recently," she said, but "since late April, their numbers have normalised."

Japanese travellers are expected to boost business travel and spending in Hong Kong this year, while Ms Chong said she expected the average spending of leisure travellers to reach at least last year's level.

Meanwhile, the board yesterday launched a free downloadable PDA version of its "Leisure Guide for Business Travellers", which offers an electronic map and information on the city.

hkskyline

May 7th, 2005, 08:12 PM

May 6, 2005
Government Press Release
Visit scheme working well: Donald Tsang

The Mainland visitor surge since the implementation of the Individual Visit Scheme is benefiting not only traditional tourist areas but also general retail business.

This was the message from Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang in North District today. He visited the Landmark North, the largest shopping mall in Sheung Shui and came across Mainland tourists in town for the Labour Day Golden Week holiday. He learned that about a third of the mall's 70,000 to 80,000 daily patrons are Mainlanders.

Mr Tsang then visited the Women's Development Association Rita Liu Multi-Services Centre at Sheung Shui's Choi Yuen Estate which runs retraining programmes funded by the Employees Retraining Board to help jobless people aged 30 or more.

He then headed to Luen Wo Hui in Fanling to chat with residents before seeing the Children & Youth Services Fanling Integrated Services Centre which provides after-school care and organises interest groups and development courses. It also employs Form 3 graduates as assistants to social workers under a Youth Ambassadors Programme subsidised by the Government.

"I am sure on-the-job training of this kind will put graduates in an advantageous position in the job market. We need the concerted efforts of various parties to nurture our younger generation to play a contributory role in society," Mr Tsang said.

On his return journey, Mr Tsang joined commuters on the West Rail from Kam Sheung Road Station to Nam Cheong Station.

hkskyline

May 10th, 2005, 06:10 AM

"Discover the Hong Kong Magic" - Tourism Promotion in Bangkok
Monday, May 9, 2005
Government Press Release

At the "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion luncheon held in Bangkok, Thailand today (May 9), the Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang, said that over US$4 billion of government funds had been used over the past few years to develop tourist attractions that would help Hong Kong realise its vision to become the premier tourist destination in Asia.

"In 2004, visitor arrivals reached a record high of 21.8 million, as more and more people came to experience Hong Kong's unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, our diversity and our dynamism," he said.

"Hong Kong has long prided itself in being a cosmopolitan city with state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class efficiency, a paradise for shoppers and connoisseurs alike. With the new projects we are building, Hong Kong is set to go beyond our core strengths of fine dining and shopping, offering our visitors a full and diversified experience, especially for families."

Prior to Mr Tang's speech, a vibrant multi-media presentation showcased the range of new tourism infrastructure that Hong Kong will offer in 2005/2006. For families, probably the most exciting event will be the opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland in September 2005. The "Symphony of Lights" II, to be launched in end 2005, will turn both sides of the Victoria Harbour into a stage for a nightly colourful light and sound show involving more than 30 buildings. In 2006, the "Ngong Ping 360" Skyrail and related facilities will offer visitors with a 20-minute cable-car ride that comes with an exceptional panoramic view of the many attractions on Lantau, Hong Kong's biggest and most beautiful Island. The Hong Kong Wetland Park located near the famous Mai Po marshes, will be a 60-hectare, world-class conservation, education and tourism facility.

Also speaking at the luncheon, Mrs Selina Chow, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, "Because of these exciting new attractions, and the favourable macro economic environment for travel both to and within Asia, the HKTB has decided to propel our industry to even higher levels of achievement by launching our most ambitious global marketing and promotional initiative ever – "2006 Discover Hong Kong Year". This global campaign will package our new products with Hong Kong's existing attractions, presenting an array of multi-dimensional offerings that will appeal to visitors from all our key markets and segments, and creating a new image for the city as one of the world's 'hottest', must-visit destinations."

Mr Don Robinson, Group Managing Director of the Hong Kong Disneyland gave a presentation at the luncheon. He said, "Hong Kong Disneyland, the first Disney theme park in China, is part of the Hong Kong SAR Government's long-term vision to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a leading family vacation destination in the region. When Hong Kong Disneyland opens on September 12 this year, it will offer guests of all ages a magical and immerse entertainment experience that is destined to touch hearts and minds and inspire timeless family traditions for years to come." His presentation was accompanied by a Disney show magical performance.

The "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" event in Bangkok is the first of four such presentations to be staged in Southeast Asia and Mainland China to promote Hong Kong tourism in our key markets. More than 250 guests from the Thailand tourism sector and media attended the luncheon presentation in Bangkok.

Headed by Mr Tang, the 16-strong Hong Kong delegation includes Government officials, leaders of the tourism industry and operators of new attractions. (Delegation list is at Annex : http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200505/09/annex_e.pdf).

The "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion will tour Beijing, Guangzhou and Singapore in May and June 2005.

hkskyline

May 12th, 2005, 04:01 PM

Hong Kong Sees Tourism Growth in March
Thursday May 12, 9:22 am ET

Hong Kong Sees 5.7 Percent Tourism Growth in March, From Same Period a Year Ago

HONG KONG (AP) -- More than 1.8 million people visited Hong Kong in March, a 5.7 percent increase from the same month a year ago, marking the territory's best March result on record, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said Thursday.

The Rugby World Cup Sevens and several trade shows drew more tourists to Hong Kong, the tourism body said.

The number of arrivals from south and southeast Asia surged 32.5 percent on year to 201,218 while the figure for Australia, New Zealand and the south Pacific grew 35.8 percent to 49,921.

hkskyline

May 13th, 2005, 03:14 AM

Mainland elite take to Peninsula
HK Hotels expects further improvement after surge in occupancy and room rates
Sidney Luk
6 May 2005
South China Morning Post

Well-heeled mainland tourists helped push up the occupancy rate and the price of rooms at Hong Kong's most exclusive hotel, the Peninsula.

For the first three months of the year, the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels flagship experienced average occupancy rates of 81 per cent, up from 69 per cent for the same period last year. The average room rate surged from $2,431 to $2,794 a night, the highest in the city.

The group expects even better rates later this year, with the opening of Disneyland in September and the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in December.

"Generally the room rate in the second half of the year is higher because of seasonal factors," chief executive Clement Kwok King-man said after a shareholders' meeting yesterday.

"We won't make predictions, but we expect it will continue to improve [from the first quarter] as there are further positive factors going forward."

Competition in the hotel sector is expected to intensify this year with the launch of a 396-room Four Seasons Hotel and the 113-room Landmark Mandarin Oriental.

"We welcome more players to come and we continue to focus on bringing Peninsula value to our customers. We hope loyal customers will keep coming back to the Peninsula given the choice," Mr Kwok said.

He said the hotel had enjoyed good business from the mainland and Japan during this week's "Golden Week" promotion.

The company's Beijing hotel saw booking cancellations from Japanese travellers because of the anti-Japan protests but they were offset by new business.

The Peninsula Palace Beijing, which was renovated in 2003, saw 49 per cent of its 530 rooms occupied in the first quarter, up from 41 per cent last year, while the room rate rose from US$111 to US$126.

The group's hotels in New York and Manila and the Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel, California, all experienced increased occupancy rates ranging from 52 per cent to 77 per cent. Occupancies at the Peninsula Beverly Hills and Peninsula Chicago remained unchanged at 87 and 53 per cent, respectively, while Bangkok Peninsula's rate fell from 78 per cent to 73 per cent.

Chairman Michael Kadoorie said the group would continue to look for expansion opportunities overseas, adding that it had received proposals from all over the world, including the mainland.

Mr Kwok said the group's future focus in the mainland was on its Shanghai hotel, which is under construction, but it would look for other opportunities.

Through a joint venture with the Shanghai Real Estate Resources Administration Bureau, the group is developing a Shanghai Peninsula, serviced apartments and retail complex with an investment of US$361 million. The project is due to be completed in 2009.

Mr Kwok said the group was still waiting for the best time to enter the European market. Construction of the Peninsula Tokyo is on schedule for completion in 2007.

"We are encouraged that 2005 has started positively in our various operations, capitalising on last year's strong performance," he said.

hkskyline

May 13th, 2005, 03:16 AM

New Disneyland takes shine off holiday week in Hong Kong
By Justine Lau in Hong Kong
Published: May 7 2005 03:00 | Last updated: May 7 2005 03:00

The lure of a new Disneyland in Hong Kong has brought its tourism industry a disappointing "Golden Week" holiday as mainland visitors save their cash for when the US theme park opens in September.

While Chinese tourists have provided a big boost to Hong Kong's economy in recent years, the tourism and retail sectors depend for much of their business on the holiday periods around May Day, the lunar new year and National Day when most Chinese travel.

In the first six days of the present Golden Week break - China's week-long May Day celebrations - the number of mainland visitors grew 6.7 per cent compared with last year, to 294,883, according to Hong Kong government figures. This is a substantially lower rise than during Chinese new year in February when visitor numbers rose 14 per cent.

Although Hong Kong is the biggest overseas destination for mainland travellers, the number visiting the territory has been dropping month-on-month since December because Chinese citizens are now allowed to travel to more countries in Asia and Europe.

Tourism operators say people are also saving money to visit Hong Kong later this year after Disneyland - Asia's second - opens on Lantau, the biggest island in the former British colony.

"For the poorer people in China, travelling to Hong Kong is once in a lifetime. They definitely want to include Disneyland in their itineraries," said Charles Ng, chairman of Hong Kong's inbound tour operators association.

Over the longer term, though, the industry is optimistic that Disneyland will generate renewed growth in the number of Chinese tourists. The Hong Kong Tourism Board said it expected visitor numbers to rise rapidly after the opening of Disneyland, which expects to attract 5.6m people in its first year, with 35 per cent of those coming from China.

However, those who visit Hong Kong are spending less than they used to, mainly because they are buying fewer clothes and cheaper jewellery, retailers and tour operators say.

Average spending among travellers from China's northern cities - the biggest-spending Chinese tourists - has fallen by more than 20 per cent from about HK$7,000 ($900, €700, £475) last year to about HK$5,500 during this year's Golden Week, according to Mr Ng. They spent an average of HK$6,000 during the lunar new year.

Andrew Wong, assistant executive manager at Chow Tai Fook, a large Hong Kong jewellery chain, said spending by mainland tourists this week had been 5 per cent less than last year.

hkskyline

May 13th, 2005, 03:17 AM

Hong Kong Confident Of Over 5.6 Mln Disneyland Visitors

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Hong Kong is confident of surpassing the 5.6 million visitor target set for its Disneyland during the first year of operations.

"Disney's projection is 5.6 million visitors in the first year. They are going to be wrong and, of course, they will be happy to be proven wrong," Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang said Wednesday.

When opened in September this year, Hong Kong's Disneyland will be the first Disney theme park in the region, which is co-owned by the government.

Tang said last year, there were 21.8 million visitors to Hong Kong, of which 50 percent came from mainland China with high spending power.

On average, each visitor from China spent about US$580 (RM2,204), he added.

Tang was leading a two-day five-member delegation to Malaysia to foster closer economic relations. Tuesday, he called on International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.

He also called on Second Finance Minister, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Besides promotions as a cosmopolitan city for tourists, Hong Kong also aimed to promote its eco-tourism as well as religion-tourism sectors.

"We have cable car services to bring tourists to the biggest sitting Buddha," Tang told reporters during a briefing here.

Such measures, he said, would enable Hong Kong to offer a greater range of products and services to its visitors.

hkskyline

May 24th, 2005, 07:15 AM

HK greets rising number of visitors
Murray Bailey
23 May 2005
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's travel industry moved ahead at a healthy clip in the first quarter.

Passengers using the airport increased 14 per cent in number over the same period last year. Total visitor arrivals increased 11 per cent - 22 per cent if the mainland and Macau are excluded.

Cathay Pacific Airways ferried 17 per cent more passengers during the period while seat occupancy on Dragonair rose 10 per cent.

Growth at Dragonair is slower than expected, given that mainland travel is growing fast, at around 30 per cent annually.

The picture was a bit less rosy for hotels, for which occupancy fell 5 per cent year on year in the first quarter. But Hong Kong hotels were teeming with guests - occupancy still topped 80 per cent.

The decline is probably a reflection of the readjustment of hotel strategies to appeal to Hong Kong's new mix of travellers. For instance, hoteliers may be reducing the number of group travellers they accept in the light of strong demand from individual travellers, who usually pay higher rates.

They may be more apt to accept, for instance, smaller groups from a travel agency as opposed to larger groups demanding bigger discounts.

Considering the price increases that usually go with such adjustments, some travellers may have decided to take a tour package offering three nights in Bangkok and two in Hong Kong rather than the other way round.

At first glance, visitor arrival results look good. But has the mainland visitors market reached a peak?

Mainland visitor arrivals actually fell by 5 per cent in March. This may be a simple matter of competition: Chinese travellers can now travel to nearly 70 countries, including two popular destinations - Britain and the United States.

More trips across border

The number of trips from Hong Kong to the mainland will increase 5 per cent this year and next, taking the totals to 70.2 million trips this year and 73.8 million next year, the Pacific Asia Travel Association forecasts.

In percentage terms, this growth is slower than that forecast for total visitor travel to the mainland - which is expected to grow 9 per cent this year and 10 per cent next year. But Hong Kong's share of the mainland's visitor total is so large - over 60 per cent - that it represents almost half of the total increase.

Spending growth in the mainland by Hong Kong travellers is expected to match the growth in visitor numbers exactly, 5 per cent in both years.

The resulting $1,600 per trip would yield aggregate mainland spending by Hong Kong's citizenry of $114 billion this year.

Compiled by Murray Bailey, research director and editor, Travel Business Analyst

hkskyline

May 24th, 2005, 05:35 PM

"Discover the Hong Kong Magic" - Tourism Promotion in Beijing
Monday, May 23, 2005
Government Press Release

After the success of the "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion in Bangkok, it is now the Mainland's turn to see what new attractions will be coming on stream in Hong Kong from late 2005 to 2006.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government held a promotion event in Beijing today (May 23) and will take the promotion to Guangzhou on Wednesday (May 25).

The "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion in Beijing introduces to the Mainland tourism industry and the media major upcoming Hong Kong tourist attractions.

"Tourism is a key driving force of Hong Kong's economy and Mainland China is our number one source market," Commissioner for Tourism Ms Eva Cheng said. "In 2004, visitor arrivals reached a record high 21.8 million, with more than half from Mainland China." Similarly, Hong Kong is an important source of tourists for the Mainland, accounting for more than 60 million arrivals last year, equivalent to 87% of Hong Kong's outbound travel and the total expenditure in the Mainland is also on the rise.

"People from all over the world have been coming to experience Hong Kong's unique blend of East and West culture, our diversity and our dynamism. The new attractions to be opened in 2005 to 2006 will provide our visitors, particularly family visitors, with an exciting and captivating experience."

The promotion showcases the range of new tourism infrastructure that Hong Kong will offer in 2005 to 2006. For families, probably the most exciting event will be the opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland in September. Phase II of "A Symphony of Lights", to be launched at the end of 2005, will turn both sides of the Victoria Harbour into a stage for a nightly colourful light and sound show involving more than 30 buildings. In 2006, the "Ngong Ping 360" will offer visitors a 20-minute cable-car ride that comes with an exceptional panoramic view of the many attractions on Lantau Island. The Hong Kong Wetland Park, located near the famous Mai Po marshes, will be a 60-hectare, world-class conservation, education and tourism facility.

Speaking at today's promotion luncheon, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Mrs Selina Chow said that according to the World Tourism Organisation's latest data released on May 19, 2005, Hong Kong was, for the first time, one of the Top Ten tourism destinations in 2004. "The fact that Hong Kong made an entrance as a city, as compared to other Top Ten countries, is absolutely spectacular," Mrs Chow said. "This proves that all our investment and efforts put into tourism after SARS have paid off. Leveraging on the completion of the major tourism attractions, HKTB will launch a marketing and promotional initiative – '2006 Discover Hong Kong Year'. This campaign will package our new products with Hong Kong's existing attractions, presenting an array of multi-dimensional offerings that will appeal to visitors from all our key markets and segments, and creating a new image for the city as one of the world's 'hottest', must-visit destinations."

Group Managing Director of the Hong Kong Disneyland Mr Don Robinson also spoke at the luncheon. He said Hong Kong Disneyland, the first Disney theme park in China, was part of the HKSAR Government's long-term vision to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a leading family vacation destination in the region. "When Hong Kong Disneyland opens on September 12 this year, it will offer guests of all ages a magical and immersive entertainment experience that is destined to touch hearts and minds and inspire timeless family traditions for years to come." His presentation was accompanied by a Disney magical performance.

The "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion in Beijing was warmly received by more than 200 guests from Mainland authorities, the tourism industry and the media.

The Hong Kong delegation includes government officials, leaders of the tourism industry and operators of new attractions (Delegation list is at Annex). During their stay in Beijing, the delegation called on Deputy Mayor of Beijing, Mr Zhang Mao, and Deputy Chairman of China National Tourism Administration, Mr Zhang Xiqin.

The "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion will tour to Guangzhou on Wednesday and Singapore on June 24.

hkskyline

May 25th, 2005, 08:12 PM

May 25, 2005
Guangdong a crucial tourist source for HK: FS
Government Press Release

About 90% of Hong Kong visitors under the Mainland's "Individual Visitor Scheme" come from Guangdong, Financial Secretary Henry Tang says.

Leading a delegation on a "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion in Guangzhou, Mr Tang said tourism is a key driving force of Hong Kong's economy. Mainland visitors comprised 56% of the 21.8 million visitors to Hong Kong in the last year.

"About $31 billion of Government funds have been invested to develop new tourism attractions over the past few years. The new attractions that will come on stream in 2005 and 2006 will provide our visitors, particularly family visitors, with an ever more exciting and captivating experience," Mr Tang said.

He added Hong Kong people are a major source of tourist arrivals for Guangdong, and spent about $17.1 billion there last year. He hoped the two sides will step up co-operation.

Following the success of the "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion in Bangkok and Beijing, the Hong Kong Government took the event to Guangzhou today, targeting Guangdong tourism industry and the media.

Hong Kong among world's top 10 destinations

Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong said according to the World Tourism Organisation's latest data released on May 19, Hong Kong was, for the first time, one of the top 10 tourism destinations in 2004.

"The fact that Hong Kong made an entrance as a city, as compared to other top 10 countries, is absolutely spectacular," she said.

Ms Chong said leveraging on the completion of the major tourism attractions, the board will launch a marketing and promotional initiative - "2006 Discover Hong Kong Year".

"This campaign will package our new products with Hong Kong's existing attractions, presenting an array of multi-dimensional offerings that will appeal to visitors from all our key markets and segments, and create a new image for the city as one of the world's 'hottest', must-visit destinations," she added.

Hong Kong Disneyland's Group Managing Director Don Robinson said Hong Kong Disneyland, the first Disney theme park in China, is part of Hong Kong's long-term vision to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a leading family vacation destination in the region.

The "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion in Guangzhou was warmly received by over 200 guests from Guangdong authorities, the tourism industry and the media.

The Hong Kong delegation - including government officials, tourism industry leaders and operators of new attractions - also called on Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua.

The "Discover the Hong Kong Magic" tourism promotion will head to Singapore on June 24.

hkskyline

May 31st, 2005, 06:36 PM

Accor to Double China, Hong Kong Hotels
Tuesday May 31, 9:25 am ET

HONG KONG (AP) -- French hotel group Accor S.A. said Tuesday it expects to double its number of hotels in China and Hong Kong to 50 by 2007, riding on the country's strong economic growth and an increase in Chinese nationals traveling.

Accor operates hotels under various names, including the top-tier Sofitel, "business class" Novotel, mid-market Mercure and the economy Ibis hotels.

The group plans to spend about euro50 million (US$61.6 million) to build 26 hotels in China in the next two years, including 15 Ibis hotels, Accor Asia Pacific President Michael Issenberg told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview.

"The growth of Ibis reflects the vast increases in domestic and regional travel in China," Issenberg said.

The company also said it will open eight Sofitel hotels under management contracts.

One will open in the ancient Chinese capital of Xi'an in June and two others by the end of this year in Hangzhou and Haikou. Others are planned for the cities of Xiamen, Suzhou, Shi Jia Zhuang, Nanjing and Liyang.

The number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad and within China is expected to double to 50 million by 2008 from the current 25 million.

Accor now runs 20 hotels in China and four in Hong Kong. Around the world, Accor has about 4,000 hotels in 90 countries.

Issenberg said China currently contributes less than 1 percent of the group's profits, but that is expected to increase fivefold within the next five years.

Accor is also expanding into India, with the first Novotel to open at the end of this year in the city of Hyderabad. Two Ibid hotels will be added next year, and another three the following year.

Business in other Southeast Asian countries has done well this year, including Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, said Issenberg, though he believes occupancy rates in the Thai resort of Phuket will take two years to return to levels before the Asian tsunami hit last December.

Julie Wang is a correspondent for Dow Jones Newswires.

hkskyline

June 9th, 2005, 06:41 PM

Hong Kong's Tourist Arrivals Up 12 Percent
Thursday June 9, 7:16 am ET

HONG KONG (AP) -- Hong Kong's tourist arrivals in April rose 12 percent to 1.94 million on continued strong interest from most Asian and long-haul markets, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said Thursday.

Visitor arrivals for the first four months of 2005 totaled 7.41 million, 11 percent more than a year earlier, the tourism board said.

Arrivals from mainland China in April grew 9 percent to 987,091. The number of visitors from North Asia increased 9 percent to 137,636, while those from Taiwan jumped 4 percent to 183,531. Meanwhile, arrivals from the Americas increased 18 percent to 144,912. Those from Europe, Africa and the Middle East surged 31 percent to 186,577.

hkskyline

June 14th, 2005, 06:05 AM

Roundup: Hong Kong starts new campaign of tourism
Pan Xiaoyan, Bai Bing

HONG KONG, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Being one of the economic pillars in Hong Kong, tourism is a hot topic recently and a 4-day event of international tourism exhibition ending on Sunday set off a new wave of tourism promotion in Hong Kong.

Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, said at the opening ceremony that tourism industry in Hong Kong achieved spectacular growth in 2004 and the visitor arrivals reached a record high of 21.8 million. He expected the number will increase to 23.4 million this year with a tourist expenditure of about 97.8 billion Hong Kong dollars.

He said the World Tourism Organization named Hong Kong, for the first time, one of the top ten tourist destinations in 2004, a very encouraging sign for the industry. He expected the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland and other new attractions such as Asia's largest wetland park will be the incentive to boost the industry.

The finance department of Hong Kong government suggests to allocate another 500 million Hong Kong dollars (some 63 million US dollars) from this year's budget for the development of tourism, which pushes Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) plan to start a new round of tourism promotion.

According to the chief of HKTB, Selina Chow, the board will invest 470 million Hong Kong dollars to start its marketing program with the major event of "2006 Discover Hong Kong Year" started in May.

Chow said, " In the past few years we have working very, very hard to build additional infrastructural attractions and we are sure visitors will be able to decide for themselves how wonderful it is that we have added to all the other things."

She added Hong Kong tourism is entering a new era with its current development of attractions and infrastructures, such as Hong Kong Disneyland, the Wetlands, Asia-World Expo, the revitalized Peak Tower and Ngong Ping 360.

Among the products that will be highlighted in the promotion, Hong Kong Disneyland, which will open in September, has attracted much attentions. Travel agents in and out of Hong Kong have already arranged new itineraries with Disneyland being the main spot. It is expected that the theme park will bring in a revenue of 148 billion Hong Kong dollars within 40 years.

Green tourism in Hong Kong is another trend within the industry. The 64-hectare Hong Kong Wetland, located between Mai Po marshes and Tin Shui Wai New Town, will be a new attraction in the growing green tourism market. Selina Chow said it is important to make tourists aware that beyond the environment dominated by skyscrapers, Hong Kong also boasts of areas where nature thrives.

Traditional spots for tourists are refurbishing to meet new market demands. The Ocean Park in Hong Kong, which has a history of 28 years, said during the international travel exhibition that it will undergo a massive redevelopment to transform into "the world's best" marine based theme park.

The work with a cost of 5.5 billion Hong Kong dollars is scheduled to commence in 2006 and be completed in 2010. The park hopes the redevelopment will make it one of the top theme parks in the world, a landmark destination and the pride of Hong Kong.

With the rapid growing economy, mainlanders are getting more affluent and many of them are interested to see the outside world. Being the nearest tourist destination, Hong Kong will have enough mainland tourists to fill its hotels, restaurants, shops and airline seats.

Besides, Hong Kong is getting hot in Asian, European and American markets. It is becoming a favorite for visitors from Philippine, Britain and US.

Chow said Hong Kong before was very much a shopping place in the mind of tourists and now the city will try its best to make it both a destination for families and business visitors.

hkskyline

June 15th, 2005, 09:56 PM

LCQ17: Visa policy ensures effective immigration control and maximum travel convenience
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (June 15):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of applications for visas to Hong Kong by persons from various countries/regions (excluding residents in the Mainland and Taiwan) over the past three years, and the number of cases in which visas were issued;

(b) given that a number of tourist projects will be completed in Hong Kong and the number of inbound tourists (especially those from Russia) has been increasing, whether the authorities will consider relaxing the existing requirement that inbound tourists should hold valid entry visas, including granting visa-free access to inbound tourists from various countries/regions such as Russia, the Middle East, East Europe and Vietnam, so as to attract more overseas tourists to Hong Kong, thereby promoting tourism; if not, the rationale for it; and

(c) whether it has assessed the impact of granting visa-free access to inbound tourists from the countries/regions mentioned in (b) on the local economy and tourism; if it has, of the assessment results?

Reply:

Madam President,

The number of applications for visit visas to Hong Kong over the past three years, and the number of approval cases are as follows:

Year Number of Number of

Applications Applications Approved

---- ------------ ---------------------

2002 17,432 15,878

2003 17,920 15,778

2004 20,658 17,466

2005 13,973 11,720

(Jan-May)

*Note: Excluding visa applications from stateless persons

The HKSAR Government regularly reviews its visa policy to ensure that while maintaining effective immigration control, maximum travel convenience is accorded to bona fide visitors and businessmen so as to attract more people from outside Hong Kong to come for visits, thereby promoting inbound tourism and economic development. Suitable adjustment to the policy will be made in the light of changes in circumstances. In addition to considerations relating to immigration control and security, we will also take into account various factors including bilateral economic and trade relations, reciprocity and the circumstances of individual country or territory.

The HKSAR Government will relax its visa policy on Bulgaria, an East European country, later in the year. In April 2005, the HKSAR Government and the Bulgarian Government signed a Visa Abolition Agreement (VAA) in Hong Kong which allows nationals of Bulgaria to visit Hong Kong visa free for up to 90 days. Similarly, holders of HKSAR passport may visit Bulgaria visa free for the same period. The VAA will come into force after completion of internal procedures required for its entering into effect.

The Immigration Department will expeditiously process all visa applications. The Department's performance pledge is that all applications will be processed within four weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents. The Department will also expedite the processing of urgent cases.

We believe that the existing visa policy has struck an appropriate balance between providing travel convenience and promoting economic and trade activities on the one hand, and maintaining effective immigration control and safeguarding Hong Kong's security on the other. We will continue to make necessary change to our visa policy in the light of changes in circumstances.

hkskyline

June 17th, 2005, 07:09 PM

June 17, 2005
Q1 hotel receipts up 22.9%
Government Press Release

Business receipts of almost all service industries increased in value terms in the first quarter compared with a year earlier. Among them, hotel business receipts grew 22.9% and those for the transport industry rose 18.6%.

The Census & Statistics Department said the increase for hotels was mainly attributable to sustained growth in inbound tourism, while that for transport was due to growth in air and maritime transport.

Other service industries showing business receipt increases included the real estate (+14.5%), import-export trade (+13.8%), film entertainment (+11.4%) and insurance (+10.6%) sectors.

Business receipts of the financing (except banking) industry dropped 2.2%.

Tourism receipts up

Analysed by service domain, business receipts in the tourism, convention and exhibition services domain rose 16% in the first quarter over a year earlier, attributable to the growth in sustained inbound tourism, while that of the computer and information services domain grew 12.9%.

Comparing the quarter with the previous one, business receipts of most service industries decreased. This may be attributable to seasonal factors.

Larger falls in business receipts were shown in the transport (-10.7%), hotels (-9%), business services (-8.9%), import-export trade (-8%) and financing (except banking) (-7.2%) industries.

Increases were recorded in the film entertainment (+12%) and wholesale and retail trade (+4.4%) industries.

hkskyline

June 24th, 2005, 07:25 AM

Tourism lifts media sector
Frederick Yeung
24 June 2005
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's media industry has regained its growth momentum thanks to a surge in tourism, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The accounting firm's Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2005-2009 report says that Hong Kong's media sector experienced 10 per cent growth last year and that this year it is expected to be worth US$4.1 billion, a further increase of 9.2 per cent.

It predicts compound growth over the next five years of about 6.8 per cent.

"Hong Kong is very attractive to advertising clients, as the city not only has seven million people but also attracts over 10 million visitors," said Marcel Fenez, head of PricewaterhouseCoopers' Asia Pacific entertainment and media division.

"This encourages clients to put their budgets here to reach that audience."

The boost in advertising revenue is benefiting television and radio stations, as well as newspapers and magazines.

The report predicted the pay-television market would see penetration rising from 42.8 per cent last year to 74.3 per cent in 2009, with 1.85 million subscribers.

However, it noted that piracy remains a key problem for the music and film industries.

Mr Fenez said that up to 25 per cent of music and film products sold in Hong Kong were pirated. "The local box office would grow more than 6 or 7 per cent each year if there was no piracy, " he said.

jimm

June 24th, 2005, 05:29 PM

As this thread is about tourism (and my questions are a bit related to this sphere) so in order not to create a dead thread here i have a couple of questions regarding casinos.

1) Why they are illegal?
2) Are there any future plans to make them legal? Even Singapore's government/has planned to lift ban on them.

Thank you.

hkskyline

June 24th, 2005, 06:25 PM

Casinos were discussed in Hong Kong before, but there was intense public pressure over the social effects of casino gambling. Macau is not very far away anyway, so the consensus for now is to keep the casinos there.

In the meantime, Hong Kong is promoting itself as a family tourist destination with the new Disneyland opening in a few months.

On the other hand, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has discussed other forms of gambling to broaden its revenue base in addition to horse-racing. Soccer betting began recently and there has been a crackdown on illegal cross-border gambling.

hkskyline

June 30th, 2005, 03:18 AM

Ocean Park fetes visitor No 4 million
Caroline Li, Hong Kong Standard
June 30, 2005

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/images/ocean0630.jpg
Visitor No 4 million, Michael Davis, and his family from Perth, Australia, get the confetti treatment at Ocean Park. BOBY TSUI

Ocean Park Wednesday welcomed its four millionth visitor for 2005, setting a new mark for attendance at Hong Kong's homegrown theme park and giving park chairman Allan Zeman something to crow about shortly before Disneyland opens later this year.

"Today is a truly outstanding milestone for Ocean Park,'' said Zeman, who thanked all local patrons, foreign visitors and the Hong Kong government for the park's success.

"Ocean Park truly belongs to the people of Hong Kong,'' he said.

Australian tourist Michael Davis and his family were showered with confetti as they walked through the entrance before being presented with gifts and souvenirs.

Media and public relations personnel had waited patiently for the four-millionth person to walk through.

Davis, who visited Hong Kong 30 years ago, decided to fly his wife Katherine and two sons to Hong Kong from their home in Perth, Australia, for a vacation.

"It's very diversified here and we feel safe. Hong Kong is a wonderful place and I wanted to show the sights to my family,'' Davis said.

The Ocean Park management presented the Davis family with lifetime passes to the park.

Locals made up 38 percent of visitors in the 2004-2005 fiscal year. Tourists made up 62 percent with more than 80 percent of these mainlanders.

Ocean Park has been in operation for 28 years since its opening in 1977 and remains the only theme park in Hong Kong until Disneyland opens its door on September 12.

"We don't have anything like this in Perth and this is different from Disneyland, which is only fun once. We love the diversity here,'' said Katherine Davis.

Ocean Park executives say they do not see Disneyland as complementary, rather than a threat, to their park. "After Disney opens, we are not going to sleep. We have many, many upcoming attractions,'' Zeman said.

Kaman Ho, public affairs officer for Ocean Park, says that the park's theme events - the summer program, Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year and Halloween - are what make Ocean Park different.

"Our visitors are mostly families and teenagers and we can always offer them something new,'' she said.

Zeman said that, rather than looking at Disney as a threat, it is an opportunity for the two parks to work hand in hand to make Hong Kong the ultimate destination for tourists.

Zeman did not say if admission prices will rise when Disneyland opens but promised that, if there were any increase, it would be reasonable.

"The intention is not to raise prices, but to keep them as low as we can so the park can survive.'' he said. Ocean Park brings in about HK$600 million in revenue annually.

hkskyline

July 7th, 2005, 05:40 PM

Tourism Seen as Driving Hong Kong's Economy

BEIJING, July 7 Asia Pulse - Most economic experts may agree that Hong Kong's tourism, which gives a strong push to other industries, now has become the main factor to drive the economy though it only accounts for 7 per cent of the local output.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government made the policy of promoting economy through the development of tourism a strategy to overcome its economic hardships in the past few years. And it will remain one of Hong Kong's important economic pillars in the future.

The government said in its 2005-2006 budget that tourism is an important sector of economy, which raises Hong Kong's international profile and greatly benefits various aspects of local economic and cultural development.

It is estimated that during the period from 2000 to 2003 alone, tourism has created around 25,000 new jobs in Hong Kong, despite of the influence of SARS in 2003. Tourism industry performed strongly last year, with visitor arrivals reaching an all-time high of 21.8 million and the number is expected to exceed 23 million this year.

So far, the government has already invested around 31 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$4 billion) to build a series of new attractions, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong Wetland Park, Tung Chung cable carsystem and the second phase of Symphony of lights. And the Hong Kong Tourism Board launched a series of global publicity and promotion programs this year, including designating 2006 as "Discover Hong Kong Year".

Sept. 12 is definitely a day that most Hong Kong people are looking forward to because Hong Kong Disneyland will formally open to visitors on that day and become the main spot for tourists not only from mainland China but also from overseas. Experts expected the theme park, which cost US$3.5 billion, would creat 18,000 new jobs at opening and brought in a revenue of 148 billion Hong Kong dollars for the city within the following 40 years.

The Tung Chung cable car system and the Wetland Park with a total cost of 14.7 billion Hong Kong dollars will be accomplished in 2006. Besides, the government has decided to develop green tourism in the Northern New Territories, so that Hong Kong citizens may enjoy the natural beauty of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government hopes with the development of new infrastructures and projects, the city can be transferred into a travel destination with more choices to meet the tastes of tourists.

In parallel, a number of new hotels will open by the end of 2006 to meet the surge of tourist arrivals. The new hotels will provide about 14,000 rooms and 75,000 jobs. According to the international property advisor Tie Leung Ltd, the opening of Disneyland in September will draw more tourists to Hong Kong from mainland and overseas, therefore hotel occupancy rates and averageroom rates will continue to rise despite of the room increases.

To Hong Kong tourism, tourists from the mainland are still the main force, a point that can be seen through the growing popularity of mandarin in service industry.

According to statistics, the number of mainland tourists to Hong Kong increased by 44 per cent in 2004 and their spending in Hong Kong accounted for 12 per cent of the total value of retail. The increase of mainland tourists not only created new jobs for Hong Kong but also stimulated the local consumption.

The Secretariat of the Better Hong Kong Foundation George Yuen said,"One of the important factor in promoting Hong Kong economy is tourism. Large number of mainland tourists is helpful in pushing the domestic demand of Hong Kong. Inflation ended and the price index keeps going up since July 2004."

The HKSAR government expected the local GDP this year would increase by 4.5 per cent. The Hang Seng index recorded a 22 per cent increase in the past 12 months. And the jobless rate went down from 8.7 per cent to 5.9 per cent during the last two years.

An analyst of Standard Charted Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd said, "The rise of price index in last July was mainly due to the increase of mainland visitors added by the going down of jobless rate and the flourishing of the property industry. Now the confidence of the market has recovered."

Economic experts in Hong Kong now believe the rise of price index, the rebound of retail and property industries are the stimulus to the domestic demand. Individual spending continued to increase, which has reduced the local economy's dependence on export.

Franklin Lin, property analyst of Swiss Bank said, "Starting from January of 2004, the average price for property in Hong Kong keeps stable at US$4680 per square meter, increasing by more than 15 per cent within less than 18 months, though it is silllower than that of 1997."

(XIC)

hkskyline

July 10th, 2005, 06:40 AM

July 6, 2005
New Lei Yue Mun landing facility proposed
Government Press Release

The Tourism Commission is planning to provide a new public landing facility to facilitate visitors' access by sea to the seafood restaurants in Lei Yue Mun and the nearby attractions such as the Tin Hau Temple.

Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip told lawmakers the proposal is one of the improvement works being considered to enhance the tourist facilities in Lei Yue Mun's waterfront area.

Mr Ip said as the existing landing facility at Sam Ka Tsuen in Kwun Tong is located some distance away from the seafood restaurants, it has seldom been used by visitors or sight-seeing vessels.

The new landing facility needs to be able to accommodate sight-seeing vessels, convenient to visitors and near seafood restaurants and tourism attractions, he added.

Marine safety top priority

As regards the proposed landing facility's impact on the fairway of Lei Yue Mun Channel, the Civil Engineering & Development Department in conjunction with the Marine Department have considered all factors carefully, the most important one being marine safety.

The secretary noted the proposed site near the lighthouse is located outside the fairway of Lei Yue Mun Channel. It will not obstruct or affect the fairway, or reduce the fairway's navigational width.

"On the contrary, to facilitate navigation and berthing of sight-seeing vessels, the construction works concerned will involve dredging in the foreshore and seabed area in the vicinity of the proposed landing facility, so that the navigational width in its vicinity will be extended by about 30 metres," he said.

The proposed landing facility is a part of the entire Lei Yue Mun Waterfront enhancement project which is at a preliminary planning stage.

Proposal wins district council's support

Mr Ip said the proposal's framework has won the Kwun Tong District Council's support, adding the council agreed the most suitable location for constructing the proposed landing facility is to the east of the lighthouse.

Relevant departments are looking into the proposal's technical feasibility, he added.

If the proposal is confirmed to be technically feasible, the Government will proceed with the detailed design, marine traffic impact assessment and public consultation.

Funding approval from the Legislative Council will be required for the project to proceed.

hkskyline

July 11th, 2005, 07:35 PM

July 11, 2005
May visitor arrivals up 7.5%
Government Press Release

Tourist arrivals grew to 1,821,923 in May, up 7.5% on the same month last year.

The majority of Hong Kong's key markets registered month-on-month growth, with the best performers being Europe, Africa and the Middle East (131,893, +30.0%), Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific (47,432, +28.1%), and South and Southeast Asia (209,797, +26.4%).

Arrivals from the Americas rose 15.2% to 125,074, and from North Asia 11.6% to 138,820, while those from Taiwan registered a 8.5% rise to 162,382.

The total number of arrivals from January to May rose 10.4% to 9,235,303.

Double-digit growth

Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong said the strong growth in long-haul and regional markets is very encouraging.

"The fact we achieved double-digit growth in the vast majority of our key markets not only underlines Hong Kong's broad international appeal as a destination, but also reflects the effectiveness of our ongoing marketing and promotional activities across all regions," she said.

"With cumulative arrivals for the first five months of the year comfortably ahead of our projected total, we are confident we can meet our half-yearly target."

In May, 63.5% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, compared with 62.6% during the same month in 2004. The remaining 36.5% were classified as "same-day in-town" visitors, either returning home or departing for another destination on the same day as arrival

Hotels at 80%

While the 80% hotel occupancy across all categories of hotels and tourist guest houses in May is three percentage points lower than the 2004 figure, the apparent drop reflects the 6% rise in Hong Kong's room supply during the past 12 months.

The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was $832, a 13.8% rise on the same month last year.

Average hotel occupancy in January-May was 84%, one percentage point lower than for the same period in 2004. The average achieved hotel room rate was $919, 18.8% higher than in 2004.

hkskyline

July 11th, 2005, 11:33 PM

Hotel sees a double boost from Disney
Danny Chung, Hong Kong Standard
July 12, 2005

Harbour Plaza Resort City in Tin Shui Wai, a unit of Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong (Holdings), said it is almost fully booked in the second quarter and could ''easily double'' its rates when the Disneyland theme park opens in September.

The hotel's average daily occupancy rose to 97 percent for the 500-plus daily rooms, a 9 percentage-point increase compared with the same period last year. For the 500 serviced suites, occupancy reached 95 percent, up five percentage points.

Last Sunday, occupancy reached 100 percent with more than 100 guests on the waiting list. General manager Stephen Chu expects the occupancy rates for the third quarter to remain in the ``high 90s.''

With such high occupancy rates, Chu is also bullish about improving room rates, which were last adjusted at the start of 2005 when they were raised 3 to 8 percent.

Current daily rates are HK$498 to HK$2,500, while serviced rooms are HK$5,900 to HK$20,000 a month.

"I think we can get a lot more after Disney opens. I want to hold the line until the end of August. I don't want to raise it too soon... the rates could easily double,'' Chu said.

As of June 30, the hotel - which is located near the Shenzhen border - had more than 5,300 bookings for the daily hotel rooms for the period September to November from Disney-bound visitors and business travelers, said Chu.

Marketing and communications manager Kobi Chen said mainlanders make up 50 percent of daily bookings, with Southeast Asians following at 25 percent, Europe and America at 10 percent and Japan at 7 percent.

For serviced suites, local Chinese make up 40 percent of guests, expatriates 33 percent, overseas Chinese 12 percent, mainlanders 8 percent and business travelers 4 percent.

hkskyline

July 27th, 2005, 02:11 AM

HONG KONG OCEAN PARK PLANS US$700 MLN REDEVELOPMENT
July 26, 2005, 4:57 pm

BEIJING, July 26 Asia Pulse - As the new Hong Kong Disneyland officially opens on September 12, Ocean Park, once the only game in town, is determined not to be outdone with a HK$5.5 billion (US$700 million) redevelopment plan.

Due to start in 2006, redevelopment of the fun park should be completed in 2010. The new-look park will be divided into two major areas - the Waterfront and the Summit, which together will boast more than 70 distinctive attractions.

Attractions

Ocean Park may draw the crowds now that it is the only amusement of its kind in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, but its attractions as they stand are bound to pale into insignificance when compared with the glitz of Disneyland.

"We expect the redevelopment to help the park withstand the clash brought about by Disneyland," said Thomas Mehrmann, chief executive officer of Ocean Park.

Mehrmann's ambitious claims are that about 6 million visitors a year will visit Ocean Park after the project.

In every itinerary of Hong Kong in the region's travel agencies, Ocean Park is already a "must see" attraction. About 80 per cent of the park's external visitors are from the mainland. In 2004, visitors totalled 4.1 million, the highest number in the park's 28-year history.

Visitors from mainland

"Mainland visitors are a major source of Ocean Park's income," said the CEO, and the park will try every means to maintain this market.

Not only will a major facelift take place, the park is saying it may not have to raise ticket prices, according to Mehrmann.

Current tickets are HK$185 (US$23) for an adult and HK$93 (US$11) for a child.

Mehrmann said prices were set according to the contemporary market situation.

"It is premature to discuss whether the price will increase or drop in 2010," said Mehrmann.

"But it must be lower than Disneyland's."

An adult ticket to Disneyland is HK$350 (US$43), a child's HK$250 (US$31).

Ocean Park's star attractions are dolphin shows, cable cars, and thrill rides.

The Hong Kong government-owned park has received millions of tourists from the mainland in the past three decades.

hkskyline

July 28th, 2005, 06:00 PM

New luxury hotel keeps tight lid on salaries
27 July 2005
South China Morning Post

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental - which bills itself as Hong Kong's first new luxury hotel in 12 years - will open with 295 staff, many earning just $12,000 a month.

But some employees said they were willing to accept pay cuts from their previous jobs to gain experience with the group.

New recruit Geoff Wu was offered about $12,000 to work as a waiter at the hotel, a substantial cut from his previous serving job where he made between $18,000 and $21,000 a month.

"The pay is a little below what I had expected but I don't mind. I see more potential with the Landmark Mandarin Oriental," Mr Wu said.

Mancy Cheng, who was a receptionist at the Regal Airport Hotel, was hired as a receptionist for about $12,000. She saw her salary jump by 50 per cent from $8,000.

According to Daniel Ma Ka-ming, the 113-room hotel's financial controller, 280 employees already have been hired, with just 15 positions to be filled by the August 24 opening date. Most of the positions are in housekeeping, food and beverage and the front office.

hkskyline

July 28th, 2005, 06:43 PM

Earnings surge at Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels

HONG KONG, July 28 (Reuters) - Luxury hotel operator Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd. said on Thursday that first-half profit jumped 10 times, thanks to the sale of a hotel and high occupancy and room rates at its Peninsula Hotel chain in Asia and the United States.

"The Kowloon Hotel's disposal has enabled us to focus on our core Peninsula brand," chief executive Clement Kwok said in a statement. "Our strategy of enhancing existing assets continues."

Trade fairs and corporate events pushed occupancy at the firm's flagship Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong to a record 81 percent early in first half of the year, compared with 70 percent the same period last year, and analysts believe those heights could be reached again in the peak season in the third quarter.

"We have seen a lot of corporate travellers from the U.S. and other long-haul travellers. We are looking forward positively for the second half from what we see so far from forward bookings. I think the trend will continue," Kwok told a news conference.

Strong demand among domestic travellers in the United States allowed luxury hotels to put their rates up an average 11 percent in the second quarter, analysts say -- good news for the Peninsula Hotel New York.

The hotel group said the average room rate of Peninsula Hotel New York was US$577 per night in the first half, against US$484 in the same period last year, while the occupancy rate was flat at 74 percent.

Average room rates at Peninsula Hotels in Bangkok, Manila, Beijing and Chicago also rose from a year earlier.

The occupancy rate of Peninsula Bangkok fell to 68 percent during the first half, from 75 percent in the year-ago period.

The decline was due to room cancellations after the devastating Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami. Unrest in southern Thailand had also affected travel to the country, Kwok said, adding the average room rate had increased to US$168 per night from US$146.

The biggest boost to the firm's profits came from the sale of The Kowloon Hotel in December for HK$1.93 billion to a company controlled by Hong Kong's richest businessman, Li Ka-shing.

Booking gains of about HK$1.2 billion from sale of the Kowloon Hotel in Hong Kong, Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels reported a net profit of HK$1.27 billion ($162.8 million) in the first half of this year. It declared an interim dividend of 4 Hong Kong cents per share.

This compared to HK$127 million in the corresponding period of 2004, and beat analysts' forecasts of around HK$1 billion.

The hotel group, which is building new hotels in Tokyo and Shanghai, said it is in a position to take on new projects.

"The group is in much better financial situation than, say three or four years ago. Our capacity to undertake other new project is quite strong," Kwok told reporters.

Rival Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental International also announced upbeat earnings this week thanks to a recovery in global travel, posting an 11-fold pre-tax profit jump -- also helped by a divestment.

Merrill Lynch analyst Louisa Fok has a "buy" recommendation on Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels stock, which has climbed about 30 percent this year to a year high of HK$9 on Thursday morning.

The stock is trading at an enterprise value 14 times its forecast 2006 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) -- its long-term average.

But Fok believes improving hotel operations will allow the share price to shoot to an EV/EBITDA of 16 times and has a price objective of HK$8.90 per share.

The main potential drawback for the firm at the moment is rail construction work near its Peninsula Hong Kong shopping mall, which might put pressure on retail rents.

hkskyline

July 29th, 2005, 05:59 PM

Peninsula soars with high-flyers
Flagship property helps drive net profit at Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels to $1.26b in the first half
Denise Tsang
29 July 2005
South China Morning Post

The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels expects demand for tourist beds to remain high for the rest of the year as its flagship Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui registered its best performance since 1997.

Busier global travel and a one-off gain of $1.17 billion from the sale of the Kowloon Hotel boosted the luxury hotelier's net profit to $1.26 billion in the first six months of the year, from $127 million in the same period last year.

Buoyant global tourism and consumer sentiment was reflected in the group's 74 per cent growth in profit before non-operating items to $285 million.

The group's portfolio - seven Peninsula hotels in the United States and Asia and Quail Lodge Resort in California - saw improved yields, even though the resort failed to post higher average room rates.

Leading the stellar performance was the Peninsula hotel in Hong Kong, which accommodated larger numbers of long-haul travellers, according to chief executive Clement Kwok King-man.

"Performance was very good, with growth in the number of corporate travellers from the US and Europe," he said. "We have seen strong booking in the coming months. Traditionally, room rates and occupancy are higher in the second half of every year."

The average room rate at the Peninsula jumped 11.11 per cent to US$360 per night in the first half of the year, "the highest in memory" since an unusually good 1997, said director and chief operating officer Peter Borer. The rate, however, was still 19 per cent below the 1997 peak of US$445 per night.

"We don't think the room rate will get back to the 1996-97 peak in the near future," Mr Kwok said. "But the trend has been good so far, and it will continue."

The Peninsula Hong Kong's 300 rooms were on average 81 per cent occupied during the first six months of the year, up from 70 per cent.

Playing down concerns over intensified competition from two top-tier hotels - the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Landmark - to be opened in Central in the next two months, Mr Kwok said the newcomers would boost Hong Kong's image as an international city and attract more visitors.

He added that the opening of Disneyland in September and a number of international conferences later this year would also attract more visitors.

During the first half, earnings per share skyrocketed from nine cents to 90 cents. The interim dividend was lifted 33.33 per cent, or one cent, to four cents per share.

Turnover was up 7 per cent at $1.52 billion on stronger demand for rooms and food and beverages.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were up 18 per cent to $492 million.

The sale of the Kowloon Hotel to a joint venture between Cheung Kong (Holdings) and Hutchison Whampoa in February helped to reduce Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels' debt burden by 37 per cent, to $2.7 billion.

Mr Kwok said project financing would be arranged in the next 12 months for the group's US$361 million hotel project on the historic Bund in Shanghai, which is due to be completed in 2009.

He said that the group's other new project - the Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo - was on track for completion in 2007.

hkskyline

August 11th, 2005, 05:59 AM

Visitors to Hong Kong rise to record in first half

HONG KONG, Aug 10 (Reuters) - A total of 1.74 million tourists visited Hong Kong in June, up 5.8 percent from a year ago, bringing the half-year total to a record high, the city's tourism board said late on Wednesday.

The increase was fuelled by strong performance from long-haul and regional markets, which lifted the total tourist arrivals for the first six months to 10.98 million, up 9.6 percent year from the same period last year.

Tourism is an sizeable component of Hong Kong's economy, contributing three percent of gross domestic product last year.

Visitors to Hong Kong passed the 10 million half-year landmark for the first time last year following Beijing's relaxation of travel restrictions.

"Our forecasts for the next two months take into account a possible deferral of travel to Hong Kong in the run-up to the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, especially among some mainland and regional consumers," said Clara Chong, executive director of Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Some 5.6 million visitors are expected at Disneyland, which is due to open next month, in its first year.

Arrivals from mainland China, which accounted for 54 percent of Hong Kong's total visitors in the first half, increased 3.8 percent from the year-ago period to 5.88 million.

But markets such as South Africa, Singapore, France and Australia proved Hong Kong's best performers in the first half, increasing between 32 percent and 58 percent year on year.

Hotel and guest houses across the city filled an average 83 percent of their rooms in the first half, two percentage points lower than a year ago, partly due to a 7 percent increase in room supply.

The average room rate for the first six months increased 18.2 percent to HK$900 (US$115.4), it added.

hkskyline

August 25th, 2005, 02:49 PM

Hong Kong hotels woo the rich
By Hanny Wan and Nikola Kemper Bloomberg News
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2005

Mandarin Oriental International's Landmark hotel opened Wednesday in Hong Kong, offering bigger rooms, music downloads and a two-story spa, the first salvo in a battle with Four Seasons Hotels to attract executives on business trips to China.

Standard rooms start at 4,000 Hong Kong dollars, or $515, a night at the downtown hotel. Four blocks away on the city's harbor, the Four Seasons' newest high-end property will open in early September, charging 3,200 dollars for its cheapest room.

More than 1.7 million visitors arrived in Hong Kong in June, the sixth consecutive monthly record, as Chinese tourists came to shop and China's flourishing international trade attracted more business travelers. The opening next month of Walt Disney's theme park in the city may help attract even more visitors.

"Occupancy rates have almost risen to the level of 1997, but room rates are still lower," said Louis Wong, a research director and fund manager at Phillip Securities. "We are still optimistic about the hotel industry outlook."

Luxury hotel chains like Mandarin, which is a unit of Jardine Matheson Holdings, and Four Seasons, which also operates under the Regent brand, hope to benefit from the increase in travelers.

The number of "long haul" travelers to Hong Kong, especially from Europe, Australia and New Zealand, increased by 9.6 percent to almost 11 million in the first six months of this year. Retail sales in Hong Kong rose to monthly records for 21 months, until May. Analysts said the slide has been caused by people delaying trips until the Disney park opens.

"It is perfect timing to open a hotel and with all the exciting things happening around Hong Kong," Susanne Hatje, general manager of the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, said in an interview.

Mandarin Oriental shares, listed in Singapore, have risen by a fifth this year, compared with a 10 percent increase in the Straits Times index. Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels shares are up about 33 percent this year, compared with a 6.9 percent gain in the Hang Seng index.

Still, with 34 hotels opening, 15,233 more rooms will be available in Hong Kong by 2008, according to the Tourism Board. At the same time, some of the tourists attracted by the Disney park will stay at one of its two resorts, which together will have 2,100 rooms.

Tourists from mainland China tend to stay at cheaper accommodations in the city, some analysts say.

"Accommodation, for them, is of low priority," Nicola Fallon, an analyst at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, said in an interview.

She said that visitors from the mainland tended to be reluctant to pay for high room rates and would rather spend on handbags and other luxurious items.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, spending per capita among mainland overnight visitors was 4,355 dollars in 2004, down from 5,235 dollars the previous year because of an increased number of visits. The average length of stay was 4.26 nights in 2004, shorter than 4.81 nights a year earlier.

Top-end hotels, like Mandarin, Four Seasons, Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels and Shangri-La Asia are wooing richer tourists and business travelers with expensive features.

The Four Seasons Hong Kong's 399 rooms offer a large flat-screen satellite television, DVD player, and a television in the bathroom. The hotel also has a large spa.

At the Mandarin, rooms have two high-definition flat-panel televisions, a DVD player and surround-sound system, and color touch-screen telephones. Its suites offer 5,000 songs available for downloading onto Apple Computer's iPods or other music players. Mandarin says its 113 rooms have the highest room-size average in Asia.

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental opens before a $110 million renovation of the group's flagship hotel on the city's harbor. This other hotel will close in December and reopen next year.

Hong Kong's average hotel occupancy for the first six months of the year was 83 percent, two percentage points lower than a year earlier. The average achieved room rate, however, was 900 dollars, 18.2 percent higher than in the same period of 2004, according to the Tourism Board.

Five-star hotels in the city, including the Island Shangri-La, JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton, say they are already seeing the benefits of more visitors.

"We achieve higher rates from mainland Chinese than from those coming from other countries," said the general manager of Island Shangri-La, Franz Donhauser. Among his Chinese clients are government delegations, business travelers and leisure tourists for whom "rate is not a problem." The hotel's occupancy exceeds 80 percent, Donhauser, who is also member of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said.

William Mackay, vice president at the Four Seasons, expects more than 80 percent occupancy in the first full year of operation. Based on figures from other local hotels, mainland Chinese visitors will make up about 10 percent of the occupancy, Mackay said in an interview.

"We expect to see an operating profit in the first full month of operation," he said.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board expects 23.41 million arrivals this year, and 27.14 million for 2006. It expects tourism expenditures to reach 114.7 billion dollars in 2006.

hkskyline

August 28th, 2005, 07:49 PM

HK-listed Shangri-La Asia sees hotel room rates in city rising 20 pct in H2
26 August 2005
AFX Asia

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Shangri-La Asia said that it expects average room rates at its Hong Kong Shangri-la and Kowloon Shangri-la hotels to rise to 295 usd in the second half, up 20 pct from a year earlier.

Executive director Giovanni Angelini said the rise in room rates will be largely underpinned by increased tourist arrivals from the opening next month of Hong Kong Disneyland and several new hotels.

"The opening of Disneyland will positively affect Hong Kong hotels in general. The opening of Four Seasons Hotel will also boost local hotel room rates," he said.

With increased tourist arrivals in the second half, hotel occupancy rates in Hong Kong may increase by 5 pct, while average yield on investment is expected to rise 17-18 pct year-on-year, he said.

Shangri-La's hotels across the region achieved an average occupancy rate of 72 pct in the first half, up from 68 pct a year earlier.

The group's two hotels in Hong Kong recorded an average occupancy rate of 74 pct, up from 66 pct a year earlier. Their average room rate was 241 usd against 199 usd a year earlier.

He described as "satisfactory" the group's first-half performance, with net profit rising 24.6 pct year-on-year to 60.55 mln usd.

Turnover was 388.71 mln usd, up from 340.83 mln usd a year earlier.

Turnover from hotel operations rose 14 pct year-on-year to 372 mln usd, while turnover from hotel management was up 16 pct year-on-year at 22.10 mln usd.

Earnings per share was 0.02514 usd.

The group proposed an interim dividend of 10 hk cents per share, against 9 cents a year earlier.

hkskyline

August 31st, 2005, 06:09 AM

Olympic lift seen in Sha Tin hotel plan
Sun Hung Kai Properties, Hong Kong's second-largest developer by market value, said it will start a HK$1 billion hotel project in Sha Tin after it has won district council support.
Raymond Wang, Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, August 31, 2005

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20050831/hotel0831.jpg

Sun Hung Kai Properties, Hong Kong's second-largest developer by market value, said it will start a HK$1 billion hotel project in Sha Tin after it has won district council support.

A four-star 700-room hotel will be built on a 68,000-square-foot industrial site in Siu Lek Yuen, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. The project will require total investment of about HK$1 billion, including construction costs and land premiums for rezoning.

The project has yet to be given the go-ahead by the Town Planning Board, and talks are still to be held with the Lands Department on a land premium.

With a plot ratio of five times, the 26-story hotel project could generate a gross floor area of 340,000 sqft when completed in mid-2008.

As Hong Kong will co-host equestrian events during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and a 20,000-seat competition arena for the dressage and show jumping events will be built near Sha Tin, demand for hotel rooms in the district is expected to increase three years from now, property analysts said.

Sun Hung Kai Properties owns Royal Park Hotel in Sha Tin, The Royal Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui and Royal Plaza Hotel in Mong Kok.

The company said earlier it planned to convert five to six industrial lots in Kwun Tong, Cheung Sha Wan and Sham Tseng, into four-star hotel projects. These will provide 5,000 to 6,000 hotel rooms and capitalize on the growing number of mainland tourists since Beijing launched an individual travel scheme two years ago.

Sun Hung Kai Properties has been on a buying spree in recent years. It bought an apartment block in North Point for nearly HK$400 million this month, its second purchase on Hong Kong Island in two months after winning the tender on the HK$1.21 billion Southside Villa, a luxury property in Island South. Shares of Sun Hung Kai Properties rose 0.06 percent Tuesday to close at HK$78.45.

hkskyline

August 31st, 2005, 06:14 PM

HK's newest hotel almost full for the WTO week
May Chan
31 August 2005
South China Morning Post

The Four Seasons Hotel, which opens next Thursday, is already almost fully booked for the week of the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference, from December 13 to 18.

The hotel in Central, with 390 rooms and 54 suites, will be fully operational from September 20.

Vice-president and general manager William Mackay said 100 rooms would be opened in the first stage, and all were fully booked for the first three days.

"Most of our clients are business travellers who also look for leisure during their trip," he said.

"Our target is to achieve an 80 per cent occupancy rate in our first month and first year of operation. And it is a very achievable target."

Mr Mackay said one of the hotel's attractions was its standard room size, which was the largest in Hong Kong. The size of its rooms ranges from 484 to 525 sq ft and more than 70 per cent of rooms offer a harbour view.

The standard rate is $4,200 for a harbour-view room, and $3,800 for a Peak-view room. For the 3,430 sq ft presidential suite, the rate is $40,000 per night.

Four Seasons also features what the hotel claims is the "best urban spa" in the world. The 22,000-sq ft centre provides 18 treatment rooms, including two lavish spa suites.

"Everyone is competition to us," Mr Mackay said, referring to the hotel's counterparts in Hong Kong. "But I have confidence in the quality of our service."

Staff at the hotel yesterday handed out 1,000 oil coupons to taxi drivers as part of its promotion campaign.

The coupons ran out in less than one hour.

hkskyline

September 6th, 2005, 07:30 AM

September 5, 2005
Government Press Release
Shopping festival brings record visitors

Hong Kong welcomed a record 4.6 million visitors during the 2005 Shopping Festival from June 25 to August 31, the Tourism Board says.

The event attracted overwhelming merchant participation and close to six million lucky draw entries, equivalent to $1.85 billion in spending - 24% more than last year.

The board said fuelled by strong growth from long-haul markets, arrivals in July reached 2,067,240, up 3.8% over the month's record set last year.

8.7% arrival rise

For the first seven months this year, total arrivals stood at 13,045,288, which was 8.7% up on the same period last year.

Board Chairman Selina Chow today said the encouraging results showcased the irresistible global appeal of Hong Kong's shopping experience.

"One of the remarkable achievements is the record performance in July, which is traditionally a low tourism season as there are relatively fewer business travellers, particularly from long-haul markets," she said.

Growth in all regions

Mrs Chow said it is encouraging to see the growth has spread across all regions, and particularly in the long-haul markets, showing the continued efforts in maintaining a balanced portfolio of visitors are successful.

Long-haul regions showed outstanding performance in July. Arrivals from Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific grew by 35.3% (56,002), and Europe, Africa & the Middle East by 27.5% (134,423), taking the cumulative totals for the first seven months of the year in each market to 31.8% (346,456) and 25.6% (944,104).

Arrivals from the Americas totalled 134,948, which was 8.1% above the July 2004 total, with the seven-monthly figure at more than 886,740, a 15.1% increase.

The popularity of the shopping festival among long-haul travellers was also demonstrated by the remarkable increase in lucky draw registrations this year, with those from Australia up 33.5%, France up 43.6% and Germany up 26%.

Mainlanders defer travel

There were 1,147,076 Mainlander arrivals in July, down 1.2% on last year, when the Individual Visit Scheme was extended to the whole of Guangdong Province in May and then to nine other cities two months later. Some 527,000 visitors, 46% of the Mainland total, arrived under the scheme.

The board said cross-boundary arrivals were dampened by the tendency to defer travel to Hong Kong until after the opening of Disneyland, aggressive promotion of Hong Kong International Airport's SkyPier, enabling through travellers to connect with ferry services without passing through Hong Kong immigration, and a Mainland campaign encouraging domestic travel.

In the first seven months this year, arrivals from the Mainland were 3% up on last year.

'Consumption visits'

The board has identified a newly emerged 'consumption visit' segment. With specific consumption purposes, these visitors tend to spend more per day, though with shorter stays, and revisit Hong Kong more often.

Riding on this trend, the board will develop new programmes to encourage these visitors to explore Hong Kong's lesser-known attractions to fully tap the segment's potential.

The festival has also attracted visitors from short-haul regions, with arrivals from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea all registering double-digit growth in July. Lucky draw registration from Taiwan visitors also grew 50%.

6 million entries

The festival attracted a record 7,150 participating merchant outlets, which staged a record number of activities and programmes, such as product expos and interest classes.

The board's lucky draw featuring 70 prizes worth over $2.2 million attracted close to six million entries, the largest-ever for any Hong Kong lucky draw.

Draw results will be posted on the board's DiscoverHongKong.com website from September 7, and published in Sing Pao Daily News and The Standard on September 12.

Same-day visitors dip

In July, 64.5% of all visitors stayed for one night or longer, up from the 63.4% in July 2004.

The remaining 36.5% were classified as "same-day in-town" visitors, departing for another destination on the same day as their arrival.

For the first seven months, 62.9% of all visitors stayed for one night or more, compared with 62.5% for the same period in 2004.

87% hotel occupancy

The average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guest houses in July was 87%, a five percentage-point drop compared with the 2004 figure that can be partially explained by the 5.5% rise in Hong Kong's room supply in the last year.

The average achieved hotel room rate was $793, a 12.7% improvement on the July 2004 figure.

For the first seven months, the average occupancy rate was 84%, two percentage points lower than in 2004. The average achieved hotel room rate is $885, 17.4% higher than in the first seven months of 2004.

hkskyline

September 8th, 2005, 04:51 PM

Hong Kong aims to be more than just a food and shopping paradise
Thu Sep 8, 2:17 AM ET

HONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong has long been considered a shopping and gastronomic hotspot, drawing travellers from all over the world to sample its East-meets-West culture.

But with a change in world travel markets and tastes, this southern Chinese territory is revamping its tourism strategy, tapping unexplored cultural and recreational potential.

Billions of dollars have been spent on new attractions, including the world's fifth Disney theme park, or to upgrade existing ones at a time when a raft of plush new hotels are opening their doors.

It's a far cry from the dismal spring of 2003 when the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (
SARS) outbreak saw the tourism industry hit is lowest ebb, with cancelled flights and hotel bookings.

"We have planned this repositioning for a few years now. While we are very much recognised for our shopping arcades and our gourmet food, we are trying to enrich Hong Kong's attractions," Selina Chow, legislator and chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, told AFP.

"Hong Kong has a lot to offer but a lot of people don't know that," Chow, a member of political leader Donald Tsang's cabinet, added.

"Travellers can enjoy the city life and at the same time, they can reach the countryside in only half an hour."

Hong Kong is rebranding itself as a city that can cater to a more diverse range of visitors, who enjoy hiking and watersports, art, its cultural heritage and its ecological richness.

Susan Field, president of the local branch of the worldwide Skal International travel industry organsiation, believes the new attractions are timely for a city that has lost its edge among shoppers who are increasingly seeking better bargains in China.

"The general consensus from the people who have visited here is that they are not as inspired by the shopping here as before. The prices in Hong Kong are not so competitive anymore," she said.

"Hong Kong is going through a tremendous phase after going a few years with nothing much happening, living a little bit in the shadow of China. But commercially and socially Hong Kong is finding its feet now once again."

Thanks mainly to an influx of Chinese tourists liberated by the relaxation of mainland travel restrictions, arrivals last year exceeded 20 million for the first time; that number is expected to be closer to 25 million this year.

Disneyland, which opens on Monday, is expected to draw more than a million people this year alone and up to 10 million each year from then on.

"This is telling the whole world that Hong Kong can cater for all types of visitors," Chow said.

The city is also adapting to changing travel demographics; businessmen are accounting for less of the travelling population as families become an increasingly important target market.

Currently, only 10 percent of Hong Kong's visitors come with their families, but that is expected to soon change as China's one-child policy ensures that the territory's single largest traveller market will be bringing its youngsters along.

"There is a big potential in family travel in China, where the child is king. And that one child usually brings in four or five adults with them. So there's a huge market for family travellers," Chow said.

To establish the territory as Asia's premier family destination, the government has invested 31 billion Hong Kong dollars (four billion US) over the past few years on new attractions.

It has sunk 1.18 billion US dollars into Disney and has earmarked 5.5 billion Hong Kong dollars to upgrade Ocean Park, a 25-year-old theme park that overlooks the South China Sea.

Private sector schemes include the upgrade of the Peak Tower mall and entertainment complex on Hong Kong Island's highest point, and a cable car service -- the Ngong Ping 360 -- that will glide 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) over mountains to a culturally-themed village near the famous Big Buddha statue.

Ecotourism has for the first time been put on the agenda, with the opening of a 60-hectare wetland nature reserve in the northwest of the territory and greater promotion of the beautiful parks in the northeast Sai Kung area, known as the "back garden of Hong Kong".

A 40 billion US dollar cultural hub of theatres and museums is slated and a new exhibition centre will open next to the airport later this year.

Charles Ng, chairman of Hong Kong Inbound Tour Operators Association, welcomes the new attractions.

"Hong Kong has a lot of potential. We have a huge countryside where we can build holiday homes, more hotels and even spas for people to relax.

"A lot of places in Hong Kong have this uniqueness. Such developments will bring in more job opportunities," he said.

hkskyline

September 8th, 2005, 10:13 PM

Mainlanders to stay longer, spend more, survey shows

Mainland tourists are expected to spend more and stay longer in Hong Kong once Disneyland opens, according to the Tourism Commission.

Wendy Leung
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, September 09, 2005

Mainland tourists are expected to spend more and stay longer in Hong Kong once Disneyland opens, according to the Tourism Commission.

The government's commission, which will oversee Disney's operation once it opens on Monday, said most mainland visitors from four neighboring cities will visit Disneyland and inject more than HK$200 million into the economy between September and October, which includes the Golden Week holiday period in the mainland.

A consultant's survey found half of 3,000 respondents from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Dongguan will go to the theme park and they will each spend an extra HK$500 in the SAR.

And Disney officials expect 16,000 visitors - a third of them mainlanders - to the Penny's Bay theme park when it opens Monday.

"Each mainland individual visitor who intends to go to Disneyland is expected to spend an extra HK$547 in Hong Kong," Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng said.

The consultants' report, according to Cheng, also found that 90 percent of those intending to visit Disneyland plan to stay an average of 2.3 nights and spend more.

Cheng said mainland tourists on individual travel permits often stay for just one day and spend HK$3,042 each.

But when the theme park opens each tourist is forecast to spend HK$3,590, according to the consultancy report.

Last year, some 4.26 million mainlanders visited Hong Kong as "individual" tourists - not as part of package tours.

The report also said that mainland visitors are expected to bring along their families or other travel companions. "In the past, mainland visitors did not have the concept of a `family tour' to Hong Kong," Cheng said. "The theme park gives us the opportunity to start promoting this concept."

Joseph Tong, of the Travel Industry Council, is delighted with the consultant's findings. "Spending over HK$500 is reasonable when you're going to Disneyland, with a ticket already priced at HK$350," he said.

Responding to criticisms that Hong Kong Disneyland is too small, Cheng said Disney's US theme parks also expanded over a period of time.

But another report released Wednesday by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong said a third of the visitors who attended Disneyland's recent rehearsals did not intend to return. Disneyland has been under pressure to cut its maximum capacity following chaotic scenes at last Sunday's charity day event that attracted 30,000 visitors. Cheng said apart from lowering the number of visitors, the park can also improve its crowd management.

She also disagreed that Disney's plan to open a theme park in Shanghai in 2012 will make Hong Kong Disneyland less competitive. "In such a huge market as China, I will not be surprised if there are more than two theme parks," Cheng said.

hkskyline

September 9th, 2005, 04:21 PM

Hong Kong finds its feet again
By Stephanie Wong
2005-09-08

http://www.iol.co.za/data/mastheads/mast_124.gif

Hong Kong - Hong Kong has long been considered a shopping and gastronomic hotspot, drawing travellers from all over the world to its East-meets-West culture.

But with a change in world travel markets and tastes, this southern Chinese territory is revamping its tourism strategy, tapping unexplored cultural and recreational potential.

Billions of dollars have been spent on new attractions, including the world's fifth Disney theme park, or to upgrade existing ones at a time when a raft of plush new hotels are opening their doors.

It's a far cry from the dismal spring of 2003 when the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak saw the tourism industry hit is lowest ebb, with cancelled flights and hotel bookings.

"We have planned this repositioning for a few years now. While we are very much recognised for our shopping arcades and our gourmet food, we are trying to enrich Hong Kong's attractions," Selina Chow, legislator and chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, said.

"Hong Kong has a lot to offer but a lot of people don't know that," Chow, a member of political leader Donald Tsang's cabinet, added.

"Travellers can enjoy the city life and at the same time, they can reach the countryside in only half an hour."

Hong Kong is rebranding itself as a city that can cater to a more diverse range of visitors, who enjoy hiking and watersports, art, its cultural heritage and its ecological richness.

'Hong Kong has a lot to offer'
Susan Field, president of the local branch of the worldwide Skal International travel industry organsiation, believes the new attractions are timely for a city that has lost its edge among shoppers who are increasingly seeking better bargains in China.

"The general consensus from the people who have visited here is that they are not as inspired by the shopping here as before. The prices in Hong Kong are not so competitive anymore," she said.

"Hong Kong is going through a tremendous phase after going a few years with nothing much happening, living a little bit in the shadow of China. But commercially and socially Hong Kong is finding its feet now once again."

Thanks mainly to an influx of Chinese tourists liberated by the relaxation of mainland travel restrictions, arrivals last year exceeded 20 million for the first time; that number is expected to be closer to 25 million this year.

Disneyland, which opens on Monday, is expected to draw more than a million people this year alone and up to 10 million each year from then on.

"This is telling the whole world that Hong Kong can cater for all types of visitors," Chow said.

The city is also adapting to changing travel demographics; business people are accounting for less of the travelling population as families become an increasingly important target market.

Currently, only 10 percent of Hong Kong's visitors come with their families, but that is expected to soon change as China's one-child policy ensures that the territory's single largest traveller market will be bringing its youngsters along.

"There is a big potential in family travel in China, where the child is king. And that one child usually brings in four or five adults with them. So there's a huge market for family travellers," Chow said.

To establish the territory as Asia's premier family destination, the government has invested HK$31-billion (about R25,2-billion) over the past few years on new attractions.

It has sunk US$1,18-billion into Disney and has earmarked HK$5,5-billion to upgrade Ocean Park, a 25-year-old theme park that overlooks the South China Sea.

Private sector schemes include the upgrade of the Peak Tower mall and entertainment complex on Hong Kong Island's highest point, and a cable car service - the Ngong Ping 360 - that will glide 5,7km over mountains to a culturally-themed village near the famous Big Buddha statue.

Ecotourism has for the first time been put on the agenda, with the opening of a 60ha wetland nature reserve in the north-west of the territory and greater promotion of the beautiful parks in the north-east Sai Kung area, known as the "back garden of Hong Kong".

A US$40-billion cultural hub of theatres and museums is slated and a new exhibition centre will open next to the airport later this year.

Charles Ng, chairperson of Hong Kong Inbound Tour Operators Association, welcomes the new attractions.

"Hong Kong has a lot of potential. We have a huge countryside where we can build holiday homes, more hotels and even spas for people to relax.

"A lot of places in Hong Kong have this uniqueness. Such developments will bring in more job opportunities," he said.

hkskyline

September 13th, 2005, 01:29 AM

September 10, 2005
Government Press Release
Mid-Autumn visitor surge expected

Immigration officers will be bolstered at boundary checkpoints September 17 to 19 to handle a visitor surge during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Assistant Director of Immigration Simon Peh said on a radio talk show today over 500,000 daily passengers are expected. September 17 morning will be the peak period for departures and arrivals, while September 19 evening will be the arrival peak. As queuing time during peak hours will be longer than usual, Mr Peh called on people to avoid these periods.

Almost 190 immigration officers will be redeployed from other divisions to reinforce air, land and sea control points. Among them, 152 will be deployed to land checkpoints. Mr Peh said a review of staff deployment at checkpoints will be conducted after October 1 to devise a long-term deployment plan.

Transport Department Principal Transport Officer Lo Yat-cheung said bus and rail services in general can cope with passenger demand. Noting that 40% of Mainland visitors will not stay overnight in Hong Kong, he said cross-boundary bus services will be adjusted when necessary to meet demand.

hkskyline

September 24th, 2005, 02:33 AM

HK expects 16 pct jump in tourists in 2006

HONG KONG, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Hong Kong Tourism Board expects visitor arrivals to the territory to jump 16 percent in 2006 to over 27 million, accelerating from expected growth this year and supported by a Disney theme park and a host of conventions.

Spending by tourists next year should total HK$114 billion ($14.6 billion), up 17 percent from an expected HK$97.8 billion in 2005, Selina Chow, chairman of the tourism board, told a luncheon meeting on Friday.

Visitors from mainland China account for more than half of tourists in Hong Kong. Chow said she expected single-digit growth in mainland visitors in 2006 but double-digit growth in long-haul visitors.

The HKTB expects visitor arrivals to reach a record 23.4 million this year, up 7 percent from 21.8 million visitors in 2004.

Tourism surged last year as new regulations allowed many mainland Chinese to visit the territory without having to join a tour group for the first time. This year growth has been slower but it is expected to pick up next year.

Hong Kong Disneyland, which opened this week, expects to draw 5.6 million visitors in its first year, more than half of them from mainland China.

The territory's exhibition facilities will be enhanced with the opening of a 70,000 square-metre AsiaWorld-Expo site at Chek Lap Kok airport in December, which will host ITU Telecom World and other events next year. (US$=HK$7.8)

hkskyline

September 26th, 2005, 05:07 PM

A Bit Too Much Mickey
Businessmen decry overdevelopment in Hong Kong
By George Wehrfritz
26 September 2005
Newsweek International

Hong Kong Disneyland swung open its doors last week in a gala celebration marred by an ironic distraction: smog. Under the year's dirtiest skies, in air so unhealthy that visitors with respiratory ailments should have stayed indoors, dignitaries and Disney execs inaugurated a $3.5 billion project. "The park will provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs and, over the long term, bring billions of dollars of economic benefit to our economy," opined Hong Kong's Chief Executive Donald Tsang. The next day, Disney chairman George Mitchell told the city's chamber of commerce that the U.S. entertainment giant had decided to begin work on a second park at the same site--as soon as the remnants of a bay are reclaimed from the South China Sea.

Disney's Magic Kingdom is merely the latest in a series of large-scale developments to grace--or, say its critics, to mar--Hong Kong's largest island, Lantau. Lush, rugged and historically remote, its shores now host the territory's state-of-the-art airport, a budding satellite city called Tung Chung, new roads and railways and a towering suspension bridge linked to the mainland. And that's just the beginning. Under the government's Concept Plan for Lantau, published late last year, the 142-square-kilometer island would become the focal point of "sustainable development" in Hong Kong over the coming decades--a process, warn environmentalists, that could ravage the last remaining wilderness on China's Pearl River Delta.

A diverse environmental coalition has sprung up to defend Lantau. Standing alongside "traditional" green forces focused on saving endangered species and ecosystems, lawyers, bankers and business executives are challenging the Concept Plan as a monumental waste of money. They accuse Hong Kong officials of featherbedding pet industries through opaque deals in a pro-development culture that "combines British colonial nannyism and the Confucian notion that the boss is always right," says longtime resident and investment banker Robert Bunker, who moonlights as chairman for a pressure group called the Living Island Movement. "Whereas the tradition is 'not in my backyard,' we're saying 'not with my tax dollars'."

The debate is bigger than Lantau. Over the past two decades, investments from Hong Kong have transformed the Pearl River Delta into a mishmash of urban and industrial sprawl. Its cities have expanded 300 percent since the mid-1980s; today the delta generates a staggering 35 percent of China's total exports. Such growth has rendered the country's main southern waterway an ecological disaster zone on its lower fetch; Lantau, which juts into the estuary like a thick fallen log, is being poisoned by fetid water and foul air from China.

The government's blueprint--its centerpiece a proposed bridge to the former Portuguese enclave of Macau--could render Lantau another concrete jungle. It includes a new logistics park and expansion of Tung Chung to house 220,000 people, roughly triple Lantau's present population; both mandate expansive new reclamation work along the fragile shoreline. A proposed "tourism node" promises fashionable shopping, state-of-the-art entertainment venues and "leisure and sports facilities like an indoor man-made beach."

And although the plan pledges protection for Lantau's isolated southwestern shore, much of which is already parkland, it suggests "maximizing the recreation potential" with new resorts, sports parks and a paved boardwalk along what many consider to be Hong Kong's best natural beach. "I fully understand the concern in some sectors," says Hong Kong's top environmental regulator, K. K. Kwok. "To the chagrin of some environmentalists, who would prefer zero growth, the conclusion drawn [by the Concept Plan] is that we should pursue sustainable development."

Opponents have a two-fold strategy: characterize the scheme's big elements as boondoggles similar to Japan's grandiose bridge and highway network built in the 1990s that spiked public debt to the highest levels ever amassed by an industrial power; and argue for exporting "sunset" industries, like shipping, into China in emulation of London's ongoing effort to de-industrialize around the capital. "The government doesn't have a conservation policy, so we have to attack each new plan using the language they use, which is economics," says Clive Noffke, an executive committee member of the Green Lantau Association. That's why activists were happy to see smog in Hong Kong last week--because it fell on Mickey's big parade.

hkskyline

October 4th, 2005, 04:54 PM

Tuesday October 4, 12:07 PM
Hong Kong Sees Large Inflow of Chinese Mainland Tourists

HONG KONG, Oct 4 Asia Pulse - Over 400,000 people, including Chinese mainland tourists, have arrived in Hong Kong from marine, land and air check points from Friday to Saturday noon, to spend the National Day "Golden Week" holidays starting on Saturday.

Hong Kong Disneyland has been a major tourist attraction for the Chinese mainland holiday makers. Several hundreds of tourists arrived at the theme park before its opening and the park opened one hour earlier than the usual time.

Hong Thai Travel Services Ltd has already listed the two-day and three-day Hong Kong Disneyland tours as one of the major tours for the company during the holidays.

In the first three days of the Golden Week, the travel agency will arrange about 500 passengers to visit Disneyland each day and quite a number of travel agencies have already asked the Hong Kong Disneyland to increase entrance ticket quotas for them.

Hong Kong tourism sector believed the Oct. 2 and 3 are expected to be the peak period for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Hong Kong Disneyland spokesperson said on Saturday that sales of the theme park tickets were quite good. However there remains tickets during the Golden Week.

By the noon of Saturday, over 10,000 tourists went to visit the Disneyland and the park has already decided to extend its business hours to 10:00 p.m. during the holidays.

Tourists usually wait 15 to 30 minuets for playing an outdoor game. The ceiling number of tourists to the theme park is about 30,000.

Hong Kong Ocean Park, a rival of Hong Kong Disneyland, said on Saturday that it received similar number of tourists on Saturday as that of last National Day.

To attract more travelers, the number of daily dolphin performances have been increased from two to five a day.

The Ocean Park expects to receive 10 per cent of more tourists to the park during the Golden Week. It received over 90,000 tourists during last Golden Week.

In an effort to attract more passengers, the newly opened Sogo department store in Tsim Sha Tsui and a number of Hong Kong retailers are offering discounts targeting at Chinese mainland holiday makers.

The Times Square arranged buffoon carnival and a precious watch exhibition apart from offering top-prize coupons as much as 15,000 HK dollars (US$1,935) for its customers during the holidays.

The Harbor City, biggest shopping center in Hong Kong along one side of the Victoria Harbor, opened its outdoor car parking lot to passengers to watch the fireworks display Saturday night, in an effort to lure more customers.

The Harbor City distributed tickets for watching the fireworks display to passengers via Hong Kong Tourism Board.

The Immigration Department has already added 250 staff members to various check points to help the smooth clearance of passengers to Hong Kong.

In Lo Wu Check Point, Hong Kong's biggest land check point, passengers have to wait about 15 minutes for clearance during the peak hours on Saturday.

Hong Kong tourism sector expects to receive a total of 500,000 Chinese mainland tourists around the Golden Week, up 10 per cent over last year's same period.

hkskyline

October 12th, 2005, 05:18 PM

Luxury checks in at new Hong Kong hotels
Wed Oct 12

HONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong's high-end hotel sector just got more luxurious with a spate of new openings and refurbishments designed to cash in on the Chinese city's newfound position as a top travel destination.

Spurred by a strong economic recovery from almost seven years of decline, record growth in tourist arrivals and increasing foreign investment, the city got its first new hotels in 15 years this autumn.

The much-anticipated Four Seasons business hotel and the Landmark Mandarin Oriental boutique hotel generated a groundswell of refurbishments at the city's other four- and five-star properties.

As a result, the city now has arguably the best rooms in the world, travel industry experts say.

"Hong Kong is now competing with the likes of London, Paris and New York. It rates very close to the top," Paul Husband, of Husband Retail Consulting, which specialises in luxury retail lets throughout Asia, told AFP.

"New York may just pip it for variety but Hong Kong has the edge in service -- that's something all of Asia does very well," he adds.

The sleek steel and glass Four Seasons was billed as Hong Kong's first six-star hotel ahead of its opening in September, a tag general mananger William Mackay has studiously tried to avoid.

"That was not us who came up with that," the Englishman says. "There is no standardised rating system and hotels that give themselves such awards base them on no objective criteria.

"I don't even like to say we are a luxury hotel -- that implies an element of wastefulness," he adds.

Nonetheless, the arrival of the 399-room Four Seasons -- and its associated serviced apartment block next door, Four Seasons Place -- heralded nothing short of a renaissance in the territory's business hotel sector.

High-end property the Island Shangri-La completed a huge refurbishment programme ahead of the opening and the venerable Mandarin Oriental embarked on a huge refit. Many of the city's four- and three-star properties also decided to up the ante.

"I think the Four Seasons is very good for business because there is so much demand and it helps generate even more," said Island Shangri-La general manager Franz Donhauser.

"There is a relation between the different strata of hotels -- if the five-stars get better then that tends to make the four-star hotels better and that brings up the three-star hotels," he added.

Hong Kong's biggest year, for hotels at least, was 1997, when all rooms were filled with travellers curious to see the last days of the former British colony and the first days of China's resumed rule.

Since then the sector has been plagued by an economy that slumped in the wake of the Asian economic crisis and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS) outbreak of 2003, which decimated the tourism industry.

But growth in China, which fuels a resurgence in the local economy, has brought more international business travellers to the city, and industry professionals hope the opening last month of Hong Kong Disneyland will help boost leisure arrivals, especially from mainland China.

The Hong Kong government now estimates a record 25 million people will come to the city this year, making it the second-most visited Asian destination after China.

With recovering demand for tourism in Hong Kong, Thailand is unlikely to see 13 million visitors this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Meanwhile, the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, a smaller 119-room property in the heart of downtown, is hoping to clean up in the high-end leisure market, filling a yawning gap in the boutique market.

"Hong Kong's hotels are responding to the city's economic buoyancy," said luxury retail specialist Husband.

"The long-term view of Hong Kong when you put together what it has to offer -- and combine that with the casinos in Macau and the big convention centres opening nearby -- is a compelling global offering," he added.

That's great news for the likes of Island Shangri-La's Donhauser, who predicts this year will be the best on record for his hotel.

"There is just so much happening in Hong Kong's favour at the moment," he said.

hkskyline

October 23rd, 2005, 04:39 PM

Luxury hotels rise to meet strong economic growth
( 01/10/2005 )

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Hong Kong is witnessing the splashy opening of two new five-star hotels, part of a rapid build out of the sector to cater for a surge in mainland tourists and strong growth in business travellers.

The new Landmark Mandarin Oriental and the Four Seasons will offer the ultimate in high-end luxury in Hong Kong's Central district. But they are merely the headline acts in a wider story of how Hong Kong has responded with remarkable speed to a rising tide of mainland tourists following Beijing's easing of restrictions on individual travel.

According to Hong Kong Tourism Board data, the number of hotels in Hong Kong will jump from 101 with a total of 39,128 rooms at the end of 2004, to 131 hotels with 53,152 by end 2006.

"The rising number of hotels is attributable to the phenomenal spending power of the Chinese mainlanders coming to Hong Kong," said Tony Chan, a property analyst and executive director of Vigers Appraisal and Consulting.

Strong economic growth in Hong Kong and China in the past two years has fuelled a boom in hotel building, which requires a large commitment of capital and long payback times.

Capital investment surges

"The industry in Hong Kong was severely battered by the Asian financial crisis and then SARS. Now it is in the process of making up for lost time in capital investment," said William Mackay, vice-president and general manager of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

"It has been 15 years since a major hotel was launched in Hong Kong. The industry has recovered extraordinarily fast."

Chinese people love to shop on their holidays - and a growing number have the desire and cash to do it in the myriad of classy malls that stud Hong Kong, providing a ready-made client-base for hoteliers.

Visitor arrivals in the city are projected to rise from 23 million this year to 27 million next year, with mainlanders accounting for much of the growth, said James Lu, executive director of the Hong Kong Hotels Association. But there has also been strong growth in business travellers coming to the city as the outsourcing-to-China story gathers pace. This is the segment which Four Seasons is mainly aiming at, said Mr Mackay.

"Hong Kong is a major worldwide city. I think there is a very bright future because of the extraordinary growth in China," he said.

Solid tourism drivers

There are some concerns that the rush of new hotels coming on stream could outpace the growth of visitor arrivals. That could put pressure on room charges and occupancy rates, which have been at a high 83 per cent across all classes of hotels in the city this year. But there are plenty of future tourism growth drivers around, ranging from the likely rise of Hong Kong as a hub for low cost airlines to nearby Macau's meteoric rise as a centre for leisure and gaming.

"There are so many good stories to tell," Mr Lu said.

Most recently there has been opening of Disneyland in September, which should spur the next leg of growth in mainland tourist arrivals. The individual visitors' scheme has been rapidly extended across the country since it was introduced two years ago but "there are still more provinces asking for their people to be allowed to come down here," said Mr Chan. "Their spending power is very high. They are looking for brand names, leather goods, jewellery and gold watches."

Visitors all need somewhere to stay the night and back in 2003, the government was worried that the hotel sector would be overwhelmed by the influx of mainland visitors. It even considered turning some government flats into guesthouses.

Private sector rallies

But, with government encouragement, there has been a remarkable response from the private sector. Many of the new hotels are located in non-prime areas in Kowloon and the New Territories, sometimes on sites which are converted from disused industrial premises, underlining Hong Kong's move up the value-added ladder from a manufacturing to a services economy.

The boom in building hotels which can take an average of 10 years to repay the capital invested has surprised some analysts.

"In terms of cashflow, investing in a hotel is not an ideal choice for a developer," Mr Chan said. "You can build and sell offices and residential units quickly but hotels lock up your upfront investment in land and building costs. Then you have to recoup your investment slowly through room charges, food and beverage and shopping."

Some of the new hotels are as a result of incentives from Hong Kong's Town Planning Board, which has encouraged developers to include hotels in residential housing projects or industrial site conversions.

Hong Kong's solid, business-friendly legal structure and government machinery have also encouraged the investment in hotels by keeping developers' options open in terms of selling the project rather than a lengthy wait for payback.

Innovative business planning

Some innovative business planning has gone into the Four Seasons and the Landmark Mandarin Oriental - both are trying the new concept of attaching a hotel to a shopping mall packed with luxury brand name stores. The proximity of the mall is expected to attract shopping-minded guests, while the five-star hotel, in turn, adds a touch of extra class and draws more shoppers to the mall.

The Landmark mall is charging rents of HK$200 to HK$400 (US$26 - $51) per square foot per month for retail space but, if hotel is a success, Mr Chan believes that could double.

"This is an experiment that will certainly work in the minds of the operators," he said.

The Four Seasons Hotel is also tapping into a new trend among upper-end hotel guests who are "blurring the lines" between business trips and vacations, added Mr Mackay. Guests on business are often adding some extra leisure time to their trips while holiday makers nowadays do not want to completely lose touch with the office.

The trend explains why the Four Seasons in Hong Kong has gone to the expense of including one of the most sophisticated urban spas in Asia, as well as equipping rooms with top-line communications facilities, said Mr Mackay.

hkskyline

October 24th, 2005, 08:22 AM

Five-star rates back in season as market laps up luxury
24 October 2005
South China Morning Post

The official opening of the Four Seasons comes as nearly all of the Central hotel's 345 rooms and 54 suites are operational.

Occupancies are running at 90 per cent, the hotel says, with guests divided between business and leisure.

Li Ka-shing has been spotted heading to the spa for his daily afternoon massage - by private lift, of course - so the new property is definitely on the map.

When it comes to rates, the corporate tariff is $2,900, the same as the boutique Landmark Mandarin Oriental's rate on its website.

Many hoteliers correctly predicted the move by Four Seasons and Landmark to charge premium tariffs would provide the impetus to push Hong Kong's flagging rates upwards.

And the opportunity has been seized - the past two months have seen a 15 to 16 per cent increase in five-star corporate rates to an average of between $1,900 and $2,400.

There is still a gap to the newcomers, but it is closing.

Looking ahead, as most hoteliers do, by this time next year, there will be an extra 13,000 hotel rooms across the board.

But barring any unforeseen disasters, this looks set to be a bumper year with occupancies to April averaging 84 per cent, up 12 per cent on 1997.

Rates and occupancy have recovered more or less to 1997 levels, but April's yields of $1,341 are actually up 2 per cent on 1997's figure of $1,316.

But there was a salutary lesson in 1998-99, when yields slumped 50 per cent.

Yield is the same as "revenue per available room" and is calculated by dividing the average room rate by occupancy.

So, things look good in the five-star sector. But with the extra room supply looming, occupancies could suffer next year.

All the more reason to push for improved rates this year, while rooms are full and corporate clients are easier to convince.

With owners bearing the cost of upgraded inventory such as the installation of wireless technology, they will be looking for every opportunity to maintain yields.

hkskyline

October 24th, 2005, 01:12 PM

Mandarin Oriental to spend US$140 mln on HK hotel

HONG KONG, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental International Ltd. said on Monday that it plans to spend US$140 million to renovate its flagship hotel in the city.

The hotel closure will inevitably dampen the group's results in 2006, Mandarin Oriental said in a statement, adding that the loss of profit is expected to be offset in part by the increasing contribution from the group's new properties.

The renovation of the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong is expected to start at the end of 2005 and will re-open in late August next year, it said.

The hotel chain, a unit of one of Asia's oldest trading groups, Jardine Matheson Group , said it will finance the renovation programme from existing facilities.

hkskyline

October 25th, 2005, 07:24 PM

Hong Kong hotel offers million-dollar Christmas hamper
October 25, 2005

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HONG KONG (AFP) - A luxury Hong Kong hotel is offering a new twist on the traditional Christmas food hamper for its well-heeled guests -- a basket of festive goodies worth a cool million Hong Kong dollars (128,200 US).

Ritz Carlton guests, with a million to spare, can buy the exclusive Yule-tide gift that includes vouchers for three-night stays at the hotel in Hong Kong and others in Bali, air tickets for a private Gulfstream flight to the Indonesian resort island, shopping tours, a bottle of champagne and gourmet food.

"It does indeed all come packed in a hamper, so you can hand over a million-dollar gift at Christmas," Ritz-Carlton spokeswoman in Hong Kong Claudia Hardt told AFP.

The package also includes spa treatments and Rolls Royce transfers between hotels.

And of course, it comes with a Christmas pudding.

"It is a traditional hamper after all," Hardt said.

hkskyline

October 27th, 2005, 04:32 PM

October 27, 2005
Government Press Release
September sees 1.8m visitors

Hong Kong welcomed 1,787,728 visitors in September, up 5.9% on the same month last year, the Tourism Board says.

The figure raised cumulative arrivals for the first nine months of the year to 16,953,651, a year-on-year rise of 7.6%.

The greatest growth continued to come from long-haul markets, with Europe, Africa and the Middle East up 35%, and Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific up 32.4%.

Markets with double-digit growth were France (+37.9%), Australia (+33.2%), Germany (+24.5%), Thailand (+22.7%), India (+19.3%), the UK (+18%) and South Korea (+16.5%). Other regional markets with growth were South and Southeast Asia (+10.6%), the Americas (+10.5%), North Asia (+3.2%, the Mainland (+1.4%) and Taiwan (+0.6%).

Mostly Mainlanders

The board's Executive Director Clara Chong said the Mainland provided more than half the visitors.

While the growth percentage was relatively modest, Hong Kong welcomed more than 925,000 Mainland visitors.

The next few months will see heavy promotion of Hong Kong in all key overseas markets, as the board rolls out its 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign.

The integrated global promotion is currently being launched to long-haul consumers, and will be rolled out in short-haul markets by year's-end.

61% overnight arrivals

In September 61.1% of all visitors stayed one night or longer, slightly more than the 60.6% figure in the same month last year. Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific had the highest percentage of overnight arrivals, at 81%.

For the first nine months of the year, 63.1% of all visitors stayed for one night or longer, slightly higher than the 62.9% recorded in 2004.

Hotel occupancy across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses was 82%, compared with 84% for the same month last year. This partially reflects the 6% increase in Hong Kong's room supply in the past year.

Hotel occupancy 82%

By location, hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok recorded an occupancy rate of 85%.

The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was $802, up 15% on last year's figure.

For the first nine months of the year, average occupancy stood at 84%, compared with 86% for the same period in 2004. The average achieved hotel room rate is $733, up 14.8% on last year's figure.

hkskyline

October 27th, 2005, 10:55 PM

Workshop on Aberdeen Tourism Project
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Government Press Release

In the 2005-06 Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive on October 12, the Aberdeen Tourism Project was included as one of the new initiatives under the Tourist District Enhancement Programme.

As the first step to take this forward, the Tourism Commission conducted a workshop today (October 26) to collect public views and suggestions on the Aberdeen Tourism Project.

“The initial concept plan for the Project comprises three thematic clusters under an overall Fishing Port Theme,” Commissioner for Tourism Ms Eva Cheng said at the opening of the workshop, “These three thematic clusters are Traditional Fishing Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Leisure and Dining.”

“We believe that the project will further enhance the attractiveness of Aberdeen and complement Ocean Park’s Redevelopment Plan,” Ms Cheng said, “On the basis of the feedback received, we will map out the detailed scope of the Aberdeen Tourism Project for further consultation.”

Those participating in the workshop included members of the Southern District Council, Area Committees and local organisations; and representatives from fisherman groups, sampan and kaido operators, the travel and relevant trades, Hong Kong Tourism Board, government departments, etc. There was constructive discussion and exchange of views among the participants during the workshop.

The Tourism Commission has uploaded the information paper on ‘Initial Concept Plan for the Aberdeen Tourism Project’ onto its website at www.tourism.gov.hk. Interested parties are welcome to send in their comments on the project, including suggestions on physical improvements and ideas to preserve and leverage on Aberdeen’s unique character, on or before November 30, 2005 via any of the following channels:

By Post: Tourism Commission, 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong
By fax: 2121 1468
By e-mail: tcenq@edlb.gov.hk

For enquiries, please contact the Tourism Commission at 2810 3530 during office hours.

hkskyline

November 6th, 2005, 09:40 AM

文華東方八億翻新
06/11/2005

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【本報訊】見證香港四十二年、港島區歷史最悠久的文華東方酒店，將於下月二十八日休業進行大翻新，直至明年八月方以全新姿態重開。顧客還可趕及在這度過翻新前的最後一個聖誕夜，更可選擇在滿有中國色彩的「文華廳」或滿有法國風情的扒房進餐，甚至預訂三千元一晚的豪華海景客房，與摯愛親朋共度酒店未變身前的美好時光。

文華東方酒店早在去年底宣布斥資近八億元，進行全面翻新工程，並定於下月二十八日休業，直至明年八月中旬才重開。酒店翻新後會保留典雅的中式風格，是次工程主要是把露台打通擴大客房面積，使浴室更寬敞，還會翻新酒店外牆、餐廳和酒吧。

酒店訂房部一名職員表示，現時仍有客房可供預訂，但僅至十二月二十七日，客人必須在二十八日離開房間，標準客房為一千八百九十元一晚，加百分之十三稅項；豪華海景客房則為二千五百九十元一晚，再加百分之十三稅項。

現時客房總數為五百四十一間，翻新後減至五百一十五間，套房數目則由五十五間增至七十五間。

深得中外名人鍾情
文華東方酒店最為人津津樂道的是多年來深得中外名人鍾情，由長長水晶燈高掛的大堂、到牆上布滿東方色彩的油畫，再有中菜館「文華廳」那掛滿鍍金鳥籠宮燈的氣派，還有法國餐廳Vong菜餚的講究，以及四十年來仍用炭爐燒的Mandarin Grill扒房，說起來盡是細水流長的故事，人回味無窮。

酒店的魅力不但來自她的招牌菜式，還有不少在酒店內幹了二、三十年的老臣子，由廚師到酒店高層職員，多年來接待過不少皇室人員，如已故英國儲妃戴安娜、國家元首、商界名人、國際巨星等，令顧客有賓至如歸的感覺。 http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

hkskyline

November 6th, 2005, 05:41 PM

HKTB Stages Spectacular Launch of 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year in London

Highlights

Chief Executive Donald Tsang officiates launch with the Lord Mayor of Westminster and Harrods Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed in switch-on ceremony of Harrods' famous festive lighting.

The launch is part of HKTB's global promotions for the 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign, which is being rolled out in various long-haul markets, including major publicity events in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles.

Arrivals from the UK increased by close to 15% in the first 9 months of 2005 and is forecast to reach a yearly record of almost 500,000.

Television Commercial - UK
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HKTB Press Release : http://partnernet.hktb.com/pnweb/jsp/doc/HKTB_listDoc.jsp?charset=&doc_id=83634

hkskyline

November 24th, 2005, 04:09 AM

Hotel taps rising need for serviced units
23 November 2005
South China Morning Post

LEASING ACTIVITY FOR serviced suites at Harbour Plaza Resort City in Tin Shui Wai has been brisk thanks to the continued influx of business travellers, according to Stephen Chu, deputy general manager of leasing at Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts.

He said the serviced suites provided value-for-money accommodation for people looking for a flexible and quality living alternative.

There are 1,102 rooms in the hotel, located in the northwestern part of the New Territories and not far from the Lok Ma Chau border. About half of the rooms are being leased as serviced suites, with the remainder being used for daily hotel operation.

Among the serviced suites, the all-inclusive rental ranges from $5,900 a month for the smallest unit of 405 sq ft to $27,000 a month for the biggest unit of about 1,200 sq ft.

The rent levels were raised by up to 8 per cent early this year to reflect the increased market demand, but the present rate would remain unchanged until the end of the year, Mr Chu said. The occupancy rate of the serviced suites stands at 96 per cent.

He expected demand for flexible serviced accommodation to continue to increase with the growing arrivals of expatriate and mainland business travellers to Hong Kong.

The sustained economic growth of Hong Kong and the tremendous business opportunities on the mainland would attract more international companies to expand or set up operations in Hong Kong, creating a favourable backdrop for the leasing of serviced accommodation as more people were expected to relocate to Hong Kong.

Mr Chu said more mainlanders would travel to Hong Kong as a result of the agreement on closer business and economic ties.

Serviced suites had also become increasingly popular among local residents over the past few years, and many prospective home buyers chose to stay in serviced accommodation temporarily while they were relocating or looking for opportunities to purchase a property, he said.

With the upcoming opening of the AsiaWorld Expo next to the airport, an increasing number of conventions and exhibitions will be held in Hong Kong, and Mr Chu said this would attract even more business travellers and visitors to the city and fuel demand for short-term serviced accommodation.

He expects that Harbour Plaza Resort City, which is connected to the airport with regular free shuttle buses, would benefit from the anticipated increase in travellers.

Improved transport links with the southern part of the mainland also were expected to attract new customers to the hotel.

Mr Chu said a new bridge linking the northwestern area of Hong Kong to Shekou was scheduled for completion next year.

With the improvement in transport connection, people travelling frequently between Hong Kong and the mainland would find the hotel a convenient location to stay.

The serviced suites in the hotel all come with a fully equipped kitchenette. The lease packages are flexible with no security deposit required for tenants.

hkskyline

December 1st, 2005, 07:01 AM

Hong Kong visitor numbers hit record in October

HONG KONG, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Hong Kong received a record 2.14 million visitors in October, up 6.4 percent from a year earlier, its tourism board said on Wednesday, helping boost an economy analysts expect to grow by over 7 percent this year.

Tourism tends to directly account for around 5 or 6 percent of Hong Kong's economy but since China loosened travel restrictions on its citizens in 2003 the former British colony has enjoyed knock-on effects such as climbing retail sales and property prices.

A Reuters poll of 10 economists this week showed a mean forecast of 7.2 percent economic growth this year, with strong consumer confidence a key factor in the projections. The opening of the Hong Kong Disney theme park in mid-September is expected to help draw thousands of mainland Chinese tourists every day, and their number rose 3.3 percent to 1.12 million in October.

But the highest rate of growth, albeit from a lower base, was by visitors from Australia and New Zealand, whose numbers swelled 21.9 percent to 58,358 visitors.

Europe, Africa and the Middle East supplied 205,177 visitors, up 17.7 percent from October 2004.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board, which has been compiling data for more than four decades, said the previous record for monthly visitor numbers was reached in August this year, when 2.12 million people entered the city.

The cumulative number of visitor arrivals for the first 10 months of 2005 was up 7.5 percent to 19.1 million. By comparison, tsunami-hit Thailand expects to receive around 12 million tourists this year.

Hotel occupancy was 88 percent in October, down one percentage point from a year earlier because of a 6.2 percent increase in room supply during the previous 12 months. The average room rate climbed 9.4 percent to HK$963 ($124).

But fears of an outbreak of bird flu have put pressure on share prices of Hong Kong hoteliers and airlines, with Regal Hotels International Ltd. , Shangri-La Asia , Cathay Pacific Airlines and China Southern Airlines all affected. (US$1=HK$7.8)

hkskyline

December 2nd, 2005, 01:45 AM

Accor to challenge Regal Airport
2 December 2005
South China Morning Post

Accor, the largest hotel group in Europe, plans to expand its chain into Tung Chung early next year, going into direct competition with the Regal Airport Hotel for tourist beds.

The French hotelier, which operates under the Sofitel, Novotel and Ibis brands, has secured a management contract for a soon-to-be-opened hotel at the Citygate development in Tung Chung, about five minutes from Hong Kong International Airport.

The office-retail-hotel Citygate development is a joint venture between the MTR Corp and a consortium comprising Swire Properties, Sun Hung Kai Properties, Henderson Land Development, Hang Lung Development and New World Development.

The Novotel Citygate Hong Kong has 440 rooms, including 38 suites.

Accor also operates the Novotel Century Hong Kong in Wan Chai and the Ibis in North Point.

The Novotel Citygate will be the group's sixth airport hotel worldwide - the others are in Chicago, Minneapolis, Miami, Athens, Bangkok and Paris.

In June, Accor said it would spend {euro}50 million ($456.97 million) to more than double the number of its hotels in the mainland by 2007 - from 24 to 50 - to accommodate the growth in international travellers to the country.

By opening in Tung Chung, Accor is taking advantage of the town's proximity to Hong Kong Disneyland and the AsiaWorld Expo, which is due to open next month, and at the same time challenges the position of the Regal Airport Hotel.

In October, Hong Kong recorded 2.14 million visitors - a record for a single month - taking the total for the first 10 months of the year to 19.09 million, up 7.5 per cent from a year ago.

Hotel occupancy in October across all categories was 88 per cent and the average room rate grew 9.4 per cent to $963 per night.

hkskyline

December 7th, 2005, 05:21 PM

New Four Seasons hotel is part of a renaissance taking place in this financier's paradise beset by a devastating economic slump and SARS
Bill Taylor
Toronto Star
4 December 2005

Wealth can't buy you health. The ill-omened wings of avian flu beat as threateningly as anywhere else over this financier's paradise, making daily front-page news.

"Bird flu ... let's not go there," says William Mackay, general manager of the recently opened Four Seasons hotel. "It could bring us all down to earth."

That said, and a lot of people are saying it, the new hotel - part of a $4 billion development that is reshaping the waterfront as it spills across the harbour into Kowloon - is an apt metaphor for the city's defiant optimism; an air of "stand or fall, we're in this together."

The seven-year slump that some economists forecast would kill Hong Kong as Asia's fiscal heart, is well and truly over and the SARS epidemic of 2003 is just a memory.

"Though we do remember it," says Jean Forrest, Four Seasons marketing director and a native of Cambridge, Ont. "We learned a lot of things that could help us through a bird-flu outbreak."

The duty-free stores at Chek Lap Kok airport are back to featuring the stratospheric 1982 vintage of Chateau Petrus Bordeaux at $5,500 a bottle. And every second car on the clogged streets seems to be a Mercedes.

"It's not a status symbol to own a fancy car, but to run it," says tour guide Denny Ip. "Gas prices are probably twice what you pay in Canada and parking ... forget it. People buy parking spaces in apartment buildings as part of their investment portfolio."

There are very few even borderline elderly cars.

"You can get great used-car deals," says Forrest. "No one wants them. Asian people like new things. New cars, new apartments, new hotels ... Hong Kong hasn't had a new hotel in 14 years since the Ritz-Carlton opened."

The high-end Landmark Mandarin Oriental is also new, but smaller than the Four Seasons and away from the water.

The bigger, older Mandarin Oriental is speeding up a major facelift to compete with the Four Seasons, the South China Morning Post reports. The hotel will squeeze its planned 19-month renovation into eight months.

The new Four Seasons - aptly on Finance St. - has 399 rooms, starting at about $580 a night, or $640 for a view of the harbour. The presidential suite will set you back $6,000.

The hotel has been enjoying a 90 per cent occupancy rate, mostly business travellers. It's banking on a lavish, two-floor spa to bring in a more sybaritic clientele.

One of the hotel restaurants, Caprice, took its chef, manager, sommelier and pastry chef from Le Cinq, the Michelin three-star rated (as high as it goes) restaurant at the Four Seasons George V in Paris. The food bears comparison with any in the world.

So far, so good. But what keeps people coming back when the novelty wears off?

"Quality of service is everything," Forrest says. "You're never going to win on product alone. You build a hotel and someone will always come along and build a better one. So it's all about vision and consistent, intuitive service, not about the gadgets and who's got what in their rooms."

In the next breath, though, she's saying this is the first hotel in town with digital TV. You can sit in bed with a remote keyboard and read email on a 42-inch plasma wall-screen. A smaller TV is inset on a mirrored bathroom wall. Watch as you splash in the tub or crank up the sound and get a steamier view from the shower stall.

High-tech and low-tech, sophistication and superstition go hand in hand in Hong Kong. Asian symbols for money and good luck are woven into the hallway carpets. And though Forrest is drinking coffee in the Executive Club lounge on what's nominally the 45th floor, the hotel actually has 37 storeys. The 13th is missing, as are those with numbers ending in 4, unlucky in Chinese culture.

The hotel is part of the International Finance Centre project, linked by a mall to Hong Kong's tallest building, an 88-floor, 415-metre tower. It's one of the few high-rises that boast double-deck elevators, but it was built, as is traditional here, using bamboo scaffolding, the poles lashed together. It will be dwarfed within a couple of years by the 118-floor, 484-metre International Commerce Centre in Kowloon, forming a "gateway" to Victoria Harbour.

There's a fine view of the construction site from the top floor at the Four Seasons. Both sides of the project are on reclaimed land, with a consequent impact on the harbour, one of the busiest in the world. The narrowed channel means rougher water, which affects fish and plant life and can make things rocky on the venerable ferries that criss-cross the harbour, playing "chicken" with the countless ships coming and going.

As Mackay points out, both the Mandarin Oriental and the renowned Peninsula in Kowloon are several blocks inland. "Both used to be waterfront hotels."

Chek Lap Kok has been rated the world's best airport for the past five years by Skytrax, a London-based company that monitors aviation quality. It remains the unchallenged hub for Asia. Cathay Pacific, Skytrax airline of the year for 2005, is busy enough to maintain not one but two huge, state-of-the-art business lounges (also rated No. 1 by Skytrax) at the airport.

Hong Kong Disneyland has just come to life and the massive AsiaWorld Expo convention centre is set to open soon.

With all this in full swing, next year promises an even bigger boom for this impatient community, where time is money and money talks. But China, according to the Morning Post, could take draconian steps in the event of human-to-human transmission of bird flu, possibly even sealing its borders.

The economic and social impact of this would wash over Hong Kong like a tsunami. In the meantime, it's big business as usual. Speak softly and carry a bankroll.

hkskyline

December 8th, 2005, 02:06 AM

Tourism chiefs hope to lure more winter visitors
8 December 2005
South China Morning Post

Tourism chiefs are trying to bring in more short-haul visitors during the winter months, amid fears of a large-scale bird flu outbreak in the spring.

Banking on the quick response of the short-haul market, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is promoting attractions including the WinterFest, shopping festivals and theme parks.

"The short-haul market is quick to respond, compared to the long-haul market," board executive director Clara Chong Ming-wah said yesterday.

She said contingency plans were also being prepared to cope with a flu outbreak but she refused to speculate on the disease's possible impact on tourist figures.

"We are confident we will meet our target of 23 million visitors this year, and we are sticking to the target of 27 million for 2006," she said.

"Bird flu is hard to predict - you can't even tell what will happen tomorrow."

Ms Chong revealed new projects to be carried out under the Discover Hong Kong 2006 campaign, launched in May at a cost of $270 million.

Cultural and heritage celebrations - such as the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Tin Hau Festival and Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival - will be promoted, particularly to long-haul visitors from Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.

hkskyline

December 9th, 2005, 02:27 AM

Hong Kong's glitzy makeover
By Keith Bradsher
The New York Times
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2005

HONG KONG The Hong Kong of today is rapidly being replaced by a more showy incarnation of itself - with the recently opened Disneyland just a hint of what the future holds. This autumn, the Four Seasons and a boutique version of the city's famous Mandarin Oriental have opened outposts in the city's financial district. The Mandarin Oriental flagship is closing Dec. 28 for eight months of renovations. New nightclubs are luring fashionable people from across Asia. And a nearly completed cable car system will soon vault from the airport up over a steep hillside to a well-preserved monastery and its immense outdoor statue of Buddha.

But as Hong Kong undergoes its latest transformation, traces of its storied past are being eradicated. Heavy traffic and strong demand for office and retail space have prompted the government to begin an extensive reclamation project, and barges are filling in a wide swath of the scenic heart of the harbor between the tip of Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. The graceful Star Ferry building, on land it has occupied since 1955, will be a victim. Next spring, it will be demolished and replaced by a new landing on the end of a landfill.

This month, Hong Kong will be the focus of international attention as thousands of delegates, lobbyists, executives and protesters gather for the World Trade Organization ministerial conference from Tuesday to Dec. 18.

The best time of year to visit Hong Kong is November through March, when it seldom rains and the temperature rarely falls below 10 degrees Celsius, or 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Severe smog periodically blankets the city, although it lessens during Chinese New Year when most factories close for the weeklong holiday, which falls at the end of January and is the most popular time for Western tourists to come.

The first question for visitors is whether to stay on the island or in Kowloon. The island has lovely colonial buildings built long before Britain returned the territory to China in 1997 and excellent hiking, as well as the investment banks, stock exchange and government buildings that many business travelers frequent. Kowloon Peninsula may be less congested. Moreover, it has excellent museums and good views of the Hong Kong skyline.

The Island's Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, (852) 3196-8888, www.fourseasons.com/hongkong, caters mainly to business travelers and is right next to the International Finance Center and Exchange Square and a two-minute walk to the Cheung Chau Ferry. Rooms are 3,200 Hong Kong dollars, or about $420, at 7.6 Hong Kong dollars to the U.S. dollar (prices do not include service charges and taxes totaling 13 percent). Note that all prices that follow are in Hong Kong dollars.

The JW Marriott Hotel, 88 Queensway, (852) 2810-8366, 2,050 dollars, www.marriott.com, and the Island Shangri-La, Supreme Court Road, (852) 2877-3838, 2,900 dollars, www.shangri-la.com, are both next to Hong Kong Park and a short walk across the park from the Peak Tram. For avid shoppers who want to hit the stores in Causeway Bay, there is the recently opened Jia Boutique Hotel, a chicly remodeled apartment building at 1-5 Irving Street, www.jiahongkong.com, 1,600 dollars. For the frugal who want to be near the heart of the city, the Bishop Lei International Hotel is 702 dollars, plus a 10 percent service charge, but no tax.

In Kowloon, the 300-room Peninsula, Salisbury Road, 2,700 dollars, www.hongkong.peninsula.com, (852) 2926-2888, is the grande dame of Hong Kong hotels, famous for its afternoon teas. The 587-room InterContinental, 18 Salisbury Road, 2,590 dollars, www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com, (852) 2721-1211, is on the harbor, with unmatched views of Hong Kong Island.

At Victoria City Seafood in Wan Chai, Sun Hung Kai Center, 3 Harbour Road, (852) 2827-9938, you may not get the view, but you'll be served superb Chinese food - try the stuffed crab legs and large shrimp sautéed in garlic. Dinner is 700 dollars for two. For one of the more scenic dining experiences in Hong Kong, go to the Top Deck, Shum Wan Pier Drive, Aberdeen, (852) 2552-3331, which opened in October and offers international cuisine in the middle of Aberdeen harbor. Dinner for two is 900 dollars. The Peak Lookout Cafe, 121 Peak Road, (852) 2849-1000, at the top of Peak Tram, offers Western cuisine, outdoor dining and a leafy view of the back side of the island. The sea bass is excellent but reservations are essential. Dinner for two is 800 dollars.

To see what Hong Kong used to look like, catch a ferry from Outlying Islands Ferry Pier 5 to car-free Cheung Chau, a fairly traditional Chinese community with 18th-century temples. Each hour there is a fast ferry (45 minutes), and a slow ferry, (an hour); the schedule is at: www.nwff.com.hk.

Hong Kong Disneyland has few rides but lots of actors dressed up as Mickey Mouse and other favorites. The price is 295 dollars, 210 dollars for children on weekdays, and 350 dollars and 250 dollars on weekends, Hong Kong and mainland Chinese holidays and during July and August.

For pleasant walking paths, excellent historical exhibits and great views of the lovely eastern entrance to the harbor, try the Museum of Coastal Defense at the island's eastern tip, 10 dollars admission, 175 Tung Hei Road, (852) 2569-1500, www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Coastal, closed on Thursdays. On rainy days, visit the superb Hong Kong Museum of History in Kowloon, which includes everything from a traditional Chinese fishing junk to a dock and street lined with shops just as they were more than a century ago. The museum is at 100 Chatham Road South, (852) 2724-9042, hk.history.museum, 10 dollars admission.

Every night, 20 buildings on the Hong Kong waterfront stage a spectacular show of colored lights running up and down their sides from 8 to 8:18. You can admire the lights from the harbor promenade in Kowloon or ride the Star Ferry. A 10-minute ride across the harbor is just 2.20 dollars. But the best way to see the harbor, day or night, is the Star Ferry Harbor Tour, www.starferry.com.hk/harbourtour. The luxuriously outfitted ferry is 40 dollars for an hourlong circuit by day, 85 dollars in the evening and 150 dollars for a daily pass.

A local chain called Pacific Coffee provides free time on desktop computers and wireless access. Especially convenient is the Pacific Coffee at 23 Hollywood Road, (852) 2537-1688.

Nothing beats a ride on the Peak Tram (30 dollars round trip for adults). The maroon double trolley car starts in Central and climbs steep, 117-year-old tracks for seven minutes, past skyscrapers and through a tropical jungle to an upper terminal perched 1,300 feet, or 400 meters, above sea level. The terminal at the top is closed for renovations, but cafés and shops are available nearby.

From the top of the Tram, take a leisurely 2-mile, or 3-kilometer, stroll around Victoria Peak on Lugard and Harlech Roads, which form a loop and are mostly closed to traffic. The roads are fairly level and the views over the city, harbor and outlying islands are spectacular, especially in the morning.

hkskyline

December 16th, 2005, 06:56 AM

Cheung Kong clinches $81m lease deal for Hunghom hotels
Mid-priced rooms designed to attract growing influx of mainland travellers
16 December 2005
South China Morning Post

Cheung Kong (Holdings) has signed an $81 million deal to lease up to 500 rooms for a year in its mammoth Hunghom hotel project to Sincere International Travel Service, one of Hong Kong's biggest inbound travel agencies.

The lease involves the twin Harbourfront Horizon and Harbourview Horizon hotels, due to open in the second quarter of next year, with 3,642 rooms at an average room rate of between $400 and $850.

Cheung Kong is also in talks with other potential leasing partners, including its Nasdaq-listed online travel unit Priceline.com.

"The location of our hotel project [near Hunghom train station] allows us to capitalise on the growing number of tourists, especially mainland visitors," executive director Justin Chiu Kwok-hung said.

Mr Chiu said the company would keep the hotel project for long-term investment, rejecting an earlier report in the press that it might put individual hotel rooms up for sale.

Harbourfront Horizon has 1,662 rooms in five 22-storey towers, while Harbourview Horizon comprises 1,980 rooms in three 38-storey blocks. The rooms range from 640 to 1,513 square feet.

Both hotels have yet to receive occupation permits.

Travel and tourism, which account for about 6 per cent of Hong Kong's gross domestic product, have been boosted by mainland arrivals since 2003. Tourist arrivals soared to a high of 21.81 million last year.

However, Sincere Travel managing director Charles Ng Kwong-wai said the average spending of mainland visitors had fallen to about $6,500 each this year from $7,000 in 2003.

"Hotel accommodation was at the bottom of the list of spending priorities for most mainland visitors. So, mid-priced hotels in Hunghom suit our customers," Mr Ng added.

hkskyline

December 17th, 2005, 06:57 AM

Regal plans $100m facelift at Sha Tin hotel
17 December 2005
South China Morning Post

Regal Hotels International Holdings will invest about $100 million to add 300 rooms to its Sha Tin hotel in a facelift that is intended to turn the building into an entertainment centre.

The plan involves adding three floors to its 830-room Regal Riverside Hotel by the middle of 2008, when Hong Kong will host the Olympic equestrian events in Sha Tin. A land premium might be needed for the extension plan, the company said.

Meanwhile, 100,000 square feet of space on the four-star hotel's lower floors has been renovated to cater for upmarket food and beverage outlets.

Dubbed "Sha Tin Soho", it expects to see a threefold jump in annual rental revenue to $30 million when it is fully leased - eight of the 15 retail outlet spaces are still vacant.

Asking rent is at about $30 per square foot.

"The influx of mainland tourists and the recovery of long-haul travel will bring tremendous business opportunities to the hotel and catering industries," Regal executive director Poman Lo Po-man said.

"Although the New Territories East is home to more than 1.2 million people, there is no similar upmarket dining and entertainment spot."

The hotel facelift is part of Regal's proposed $240 million investment plan to upgrade its five Hong Kong hotels offering more than 3,000 rooms over the next three years.

The company will spend about $80 million adding 50 rooms in the 425-room Regal Hongkong Hotel in Causeway Bay; about $30 million adding 60 rooms to the 1,103-room Regal Airport Hotel on Lantau; and a further $30 million for 49 extra rooms at the 400-room Regal Oriental Hotel in Kowloon City.

hkskyline

December 17th, 2005, 06:59 AM

Emperor mulls hotel in Repulse Bay project
17 December 2005
South China Morning Post

Emperor International Holdings is studying the feasibility of including a boutique hotel at its proposed retail complex in Repulse Bay.

The group's property department director, Donald Cheung, said a shopping arcade, the Lido in Repulse Bay, was planned on the site to enhance long-term income.

The retail project will encompass a gross floor area of 151,000 square feet when completed in 2008.

"We are also considering adding a hotel in the project," Mr Cheung said.

Emperor might apply to increase the size of its gross floor area if a hotel were included, sources said.

The company now operates a 150-room hotel, the Emperor (Happy Valley) Hotel.

The move came after Emperor announced a profit of $446 million for the six months to September, thanks to a $394.56 million gain in the revaluation of investment properties. It recorded an interim profit of $166 million a year ago.

hkskyline

January 2nd, 2006, 09:26 AM

Hong Kong is shopaholic's dream
Monday, January 02, 2006
By Willow Duttge, The Associated Press

HONG KONG -- A whirlwind day of shopping in Hong Kong can take travelers from some of the world's glitziest malls to shady back-alley rooms selling Louis Vuitton knockoffs, from clusters of souvenir shops hawking Mao Zedong watches to the twinkling blue waters of the South China Sea.

A good place to begin a shopping spree is at Pacific Place, a chic mall near the central business district on Hong Kong Island. Just looking at the shopping center's store directory can give a shopaholic goosebumps. There's Prada, Hermes, Chanel, D&G Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and more.

Walking down the mall's wide and airy walkways is like being inside the glossy pages of Vogue magazine. It's a wardrobe wish-list. The boutiques boast an excellent collection of couture, but not low prices.

After a couple hours of shopping quality rather than quantity, shoppers can walk to a bus terminal from the skybridge to hop on a double-decker bus to Stanley Market on the south side of Hong Kong island.

Take a seat on the bus' top level for the best views. The bus will leave the city and follow a curvy, tree-lined mountain road. Stunning views of the sapphire South China Sea will come into view throughout the excursion.

The trip to Stanley only takes 30 minutes. The beauty of shopping in Hong Kong is that all the malls and shopping districts are relatively close together.

Once at Stanley, a shopper can weave around tourists and pop into shops selling everything from beaded purses to a watch with a waving Mao Zedong and a North Face jacket. Some stores specialize in selling factory seconds with minor defects.

Once or twice a year, businessmen can be seen with their arms full of Brooks Brothers dress shirts. A shop intermittently gets a truckload of the designs and sells them for $10.

After a stint shopping at Stanley, have lunch at one of the area's many cafes and pubs, then hop a bus back to central Hong Kong to scourer a traditional street market. The Tai Yuen street market in Wan Chai is a gritty neighborhood near central made world famous by the 1960 movie "The World of Suzie Wong" -- a love story about a prostitute and foreign painter. But the 'hood has a hot shopping spot.

Bras, socks, purses, jewelry and pet turtles are displayed from street stalls. Shirts piled in bins sell for as low as $1.29. Also take a peek at clothing stores near the markets, which have even more fab finds.

After Wan Chai, head north toward Victoria Harbor and board a ferry that sails to the bustling shopping district Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. As the ferry sails away from Hong Kong island, take advantage of the peaceful moment and turn around to gaze at the harborfront's strikingly solid wall of skyscrapers.

After leaving the ferry pier, head directly to Harbour City, a gargantuan, luxury-brand shopping haven. This mega-facility unfolds with a labyrinth of escalators, hallways and boutiques with names like Escada and Hugo Boss.

Many of the world's other shopping capitals -- Paris, New York, London -- have all the big-name boutiques. But Hong Kong is special because of its dense concentration of famous labels. It boasts nine Gucci stores, seven Hermes and a three-level Armani Complex complete with an Armani flower shop, just for starters.

Ute Their, who works in fashion design in Germany, has traveled the world shopping for inspiration. In Paris or Florence, she said, there is a lot of distance between high-end fashion stores, which a shopper has to walk or drive.

"They are all close together here," she said, which is convenient during her brief visits.

After getting lost in the luxury brands available at Harbour City, shoppers can jump on Hong Kong's subway and take it north to the Kowloon neighborhood of Mong Kok. Crowds swarm beneath layers of flashing neon signs extending out from buildings toward the centers of the streets. Battling the crowd is worth it -- here is the Ladies Fashion Market, one of the best fashion markets in Hong Kong.

At the market, some stalls display laminated catalogs of luxury accessories, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci bags. If you want to see the goods, the salesperson may lead you to an "office" nearby. Often, the display room is a room upstairs in a grungy apartment building on the main market drag. Note to potential knockoff shoppers: Follow the salesperson at your own risk. Use street-smarts and don't go alone.

The showroom is amazing. It's as though popular products from a glitzy mall were copied, shoved into one room, and given an amazing discount. Handbags line the room from floor to just above hands' reach. A table displays wallets, watches and ties.

With Hong Kong's selection of markets and mega-malls, the question isn't, "Where is the Prada?" It's: "Where is the nearest Prada?"

hkskyline

January 2nd, 2006, 07:08 PM

Hong Kong visitor arrivals up 5.6 percent in November
29 December 2005

HONG KONG, Dec 29 (AFP) - Hong Kong's visitor arrivals grew 5.6 percent year-on-year to 2.06 million in November, officials said Thursday.

Long-haul markets continued to show the strongest growth with the number of visitors from Europe, Africa and the Middle East up 20.3 percent to 163,392.

Travellers from mainland China accounted for a majority of the arrivals in November, up 2.8 percent to 1.07 million.

Arrivals for the 11 months to November grew 7.3 percent to 21 million.

"While our long-haul regions continue to show the strongest growth, we also saw encouraging performances from such key short-haul markets as the Philippines and Singapore, which we expect will be sustained to the end of the year," Hong Kong Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong said.

"Although the overall outlook for global and regional tourism remains largely positive, we do envisage some short-term impact on December arrivals from the World Trade Organization's Hong Kong Ministerial Conference," she added.

While the board is continuing to closely watch the situation of bird flu and high oil prices, Chong said the board is confident of reaching its targeted 23 million arrivals for this year.

hkskyline

January 8th, 2006, 04:33 AM

Hyatt shut-out as sale turns to mayhem
8 January 2006
South China Morning Post

The Hyatt Regency hotel may for years have been an oasis of calm, but peace seemed the only thing not on offer yesterday as the first day of its closing-down sale descended into chaos and police had to be called in to restore order.

The sale of the hotel's entire inventory was halted and organisers barred the door to bargain hunters shortly after 2pm - five hours ahead of its scheduled closing time - due to an unexpectedly strong turnout.

Less than an hour later, police were summoned to control crowds and set up a cordon around the hotel's entrance when unruly bargain hunters began trying to force their way in, organisers said.

"People wanted to push [inside] and we almost lost control," said Nelson Ho, organiser of the sale at the hotel - which closed its doors to customers last weekend. "We never expected this - we did the Furama sale a while ago and it was nothing like this."

He apologised to shoppers who were turned away at the door and said the sale would resume at 10am today and continue for two weeks.

Inside, shoppers complained of hour-long queues to find the price of goods - from silverware, crystal, china and industrial-strength kitchen blenders to chairs. The few price boards on display were only in Chinese.

Other shoppers were confused because they could not find the poorly marked cashier counters.

"It's a total screw-up as far as organisation is concerned," said David Clarke, 52, a Canadian working in Hong Kong.

"We don't have any idea how much any of these items costs," he added, pointing to a medium-sized brass table he was carrying. "People queue up to find out how much stuff costs at the pricing counter, which is backed up. When they discard a lot of items they find too expensive next to the counter and no one carts it away, it looks like a pile of garbage.

"Things were breaking left and right. I saw this guy with a box full of crystal. He dropped it and everything broke. Then he just walked away."

Kaori Nakayama, 60, flew from Paris for yesterday's sale, but had to queue for 21/2 hours to pay for the nearly $3,000 worth of pillows, bed sheets, blankets and furniture she bought. But she was satisfied: "It's for the memories. I used to stay here pretty often."

hkskyline

January 8th, 2006, 04:38 AM

Hotel sells the silver and a whole lot more
The prices are literally knock-down and the range is staggering at the Hyatt Regency's clear-out
7 January 2006
South China Morning Post

Perhaps for one last time, the Hyatt Regency hotel's lobby will be swarming with guests and staff again.

For two weeks from today, the 36-year-old hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, which closed on New Year's Eve, will hold a sale of its entire inventory. Only a few signature pieces will be saved for its reopening at a nearby site next year.

The assortment of items for sale is vast - limousines, grand pianos, escalators, chandeliers, televisions, fridges, duvets, bath towels, cables, railings, pots, pans, decanters, pepper mills, plates, jugs and cutlery. Some items have already been sold to big buyers - restaurants, other hotels, Hyatt's VIP guests - who have been ordering in bulk before the sale opens to the general public.

The most attractive part of the "treasure hunt" takes place on the second floor. The entire 20,000 sq ft space, home to many of the hotel's restaurants, including the famed Hugo's, has been transformed into a showcase for thousands of items of top-quality kitchen equipment.

Paul Lau, who ends his 25-year career with Hyatt today as manager of Hugo's, said he "felt the pain" at seeing what only a week ago was the restaurant's proud possessions - Christofle silverware, Narumi porcelain, Rosenthal dinnerware - being sold at bargain prices.

Pointing at hundreds of Christofle knives on the floor, the manager said: "They cost $1,000 each in the shops. Now it's marked for about $100." Crystal decanters that cost a few thousand dollars each are up for grabs at $500.

Many items are brand new. Mr Lau said the hotel kept a huge stock of kitchen equipment and tableware. "With a hundredth of the items on this floor, you can open a restaurant," he said, adding that used stock was in good condition because of the hotel's high maintenance standards.

"We had to count the items every night to make sure nothing was missing. The silverware was hand-polished and cleaned with chemicals to prevent oxidation," he said.

Asked to show off some of the most precious pieces, Mr Lau dug out from behind rows of mugs and jars an old crystal glass with a crack in the base.

"The glass was an antique when the restaurant bought it 30 years ago. Every time [actor] Jackie Chan came here, he asked to drink with it," he said. The glass was soon snapped up by a senior member of hotel staff who happened to hear the story.

Holding up a large, heavy silver plate, Mr Lau said: "This belongs to the first batch of silver plates we bought. It is solid, not just a thin coating of silver."

Another interesting discovery - a set of six mother-of-pearl caviar spoons - lay conspicuously in front of heaps of silver. The set had already been sold.

Explaining how metal spoons could destroy the taste of caviar, Dieter Lengauer, executive chef of Hugo's, demonstrated how it should be served: scoop the caviar with a mother-of-pearl spoon, place it on the back of your hand between the thumb and the first finger, and lick it.

For many buyers, the draw is the chance to take home a memorable piece.

Barry Taylor, veteran Australian lawyer and the last guest to check out of the hotel's Taipan Suite last month, spent a six-figure sum on designer houseware, including two antique chandeliers, 14 bar stools, and a barbecue oven for his 5,500 sq ft residence in Brisbane.

"Barry ordered a 20-foot container to ship the items to Australia. But now he needs a 40-foot one for all he has bought," said a Hyatt Regency spokesman.

Another loyal guest, a Japanese woman living in Paris, will arrive in Hong Kong today just for the sale - and return home tonight.

Henrietta Ho, the executive assistant manager (marketing), said the hotel had parted unwillingly with an antique English painting that had graced the corridor outside Hugo's for decades, after a well-known personality in the city convinced management to sell it.

A few guests chose to show their sentiments in a different manner.

"The hotel had expected that some of Hugo's customers might pocket a knife or a fork as souvenirs. But it turned out that a 1.5-metre sword and a dehumidifier were stolen from the restaurant. We had no idea how they managed it," she said.

In a more extreme case, a mainland guest who had a taste for his room's carpet cut out a large piece from under his bed.

"It is incredible. He thought we would never notice it. We had to replace the whole carpet in the room," she said.

The sale will run between 10am and 7pm every day from today to January 26. The hotel will only accept cash.

hkskyline

January 8th, 2006, 05:00 AM

Hotel to lift apartment rates by up to 8pc

Harbour Plaza Resort City, a unit of Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong (Holdings), will raise its serviced apartment rates by 3 to 8 percent later this month, general manager Stephen Chu said.

Danny Chung
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Harbour Plaza Resort City, a unit of Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong (Holdings), will raise its serviced apartment rates by 3 to 8 percent later this month, general manager Stephen Chu said.

The new rates kick in on January 29, the first day of Chinese New Year.

Apartment prices now range from HK$5,900 to HK$21,000 per month.

The Tin Shui Wai hotel's occupancy rate was 98 percent in the fourth quarter, versus 91 percent in the same period of 2004. "For the first quarter of 2006, we are quite bullish as well. We believe the hotel industry will be quite strong based of the fundamentals of the economy," Chu said.

He said the hotel expected to benefit from other developments, including Hong Kong Disneyland, open since September, and the AsiaWorld Expo exhibition and events complex at Hong Kong International Airport which opened last month.

"This has given our hotel a boost because a lot of people will come two weeks before their exhibition to set up and after that they will stay two additional weeks and close the deals," Chu said.

The hotel also hopes to pick up business from the nearby Hong Kong Wetland Park, due to open later this year.

Chu said 2006 should be an "exceptional year" for the Hong Kong accommodations industry despite more room supply coming on stream.

Quoting Hong Kong Hotel Association statistics, he said Hong Kong would have 53,152 rooms in 2006, compared with 48,549 in 2005 and 39,128 in 2004.

Leasing manager Richard Lung said 68 percent of the hotel's current tenants are long-term, staying between six and 18 months. Another 20 percent stay from one to three months and 12 percent four or five months. About 43 percent of tenants are local Hong Kong people and 32 percent are expatriates.

hkskyline

January 8th, 2006, 11:39 PM

Waning tourism may dent economic recovery

Hong Kong's rebound from the post- SARS economic malaise was primed by the rapid rise in mainland tourists, who returned once-empty jewelry, fashion and electronics shops to bustling profitability.

Leslie Kwoh
Hong Kong Standard
Monday, January 09, 2006

Hong Kong's rebound from the post- SARS economic malaise was primed by the rapid rise in mainland tourists, who returned once-empty jewelry, fashion and electronics shops to bustling profitability.

But now economists worry the good days might have passed.

While 2005 saw a 7.3 percent increase in total visitor arrivals, mainland visitors-who make up more than half the market - rose a scant 2.4 percent, according to government figures.

If the past Christmas season was a sign of the impending trend, the grinch was also in town for the holiday.

During the crucial December 23-27 weekend, the number of mainland visitors fell 3.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Chartered bank economist Tai Hui projects that declining tourism, which depends heavily on the mainland market, will contribute to economic growth slowing from 7 percent in 2005 to 4.8 percent this year. "Tourism is not as strong because the novelty factor is wearing off," he said.

Retailers - who were already affected by the weeklong mid-December slowdown caused by the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting - in particular felt the pinch, with big names like Luk Fook jewelry and Mirabell saying they fell far short of their targets.

Hotels are also struggling, especially because they added 9,000 new hotel rooms to the existing 39,000 one year ago, while occupancy rates last year fell 2 percent.

But trailing demand was not the industry's only concern. The rapid expansion also has led to a labor shortage, which Hong Kong Hotels Association executive director James Lu said is particularly severe in the low-end of the market, which caters mostly to mainlanders.

"We may see many low-category hotels going out business, but we need them because they primarily serve the mainland market, which is generally price-inflexible," Lu said at the association's annual general meeting in September.

According to economist Hui, tourism growth will continue to wane in the coming year as mainlanders become more affluent and take advantage of looser travel restrictions to visit destinations in Europe and Southeast Asia.

The boost to Hong Kong tourism, of course, was a result of China relaxing restrictions for mainlanders traveling to the SAR, allowing people from many major metropolises to visit, unshepherded by tour groups, under the Individual Travel Scheme.

The scheme currently applies to 38 cities, but many observers say people who wanted to come to the SAR have already done so, and will not be returning anytime soon.

Aware of this, Chief Executive Donald Tsang in late December proposed to President Hu Jintao extending the program to six more provincial capitals.

Hui, for one, believes the move will not make much of a difference.

"The Individual Travel Scheme started with the big cities and will move down in the pecking order," Hui said. "The latest additions are cities where there are lower levels of income and spending power is not strong" - for example, the provincial capitals of Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Guizhou and Yunnan.

"At this stage in time, more needs to be done to attract visitors," he said.

Last month's WTO ministerial conference was supposed to burnish the city's reputation, but it was more of an inconvenience than an attraction. The price tag - HK$256 million, plus an undisclosed amount spent on riot gear, extra security, computer systems and other equipment, heavy business losses, closed schools and disrupted transport.

But HK$256 million doesn't sound too bad considering that when the city hosts the 2009 East Asian Games - an event that failed to fill venues in Macau last year - the administration aims to shell out HK$35 million for the opening and closing ceremonies alone.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board knows the city is facing tough competition from Macau, mainland cities and the rest of the world, so it was granted HK$470 million last May for a two-year international "Discover Hong Kong" campaign that touts everything from the Big Buddha to the Cheung Chau Bun Festival and endless shopping events.

"The objective of this campaign is to revitalize our image as the world's most-visited destination," a spokeswoman said. "We will leverage on new attractions and repackage them with existing tourist attractions to bring a new-look Hong Kong to the world."

The HKTB expects the number of visitor arrivals in 2006 to rise by 17 percent to 27 million, boosted by projects such as Hong Kong Wetland Park, Disneyland, Ocean Park's revamp and Kai Tak's planned cruise terminal.

But economists are less positive. "If you've visited Hong Kong once, you're not going to come back again right away," Hui said.

Art Deco

January 9th, 2006, 01:30 AM

I'll be visiting for the very first time in March, but I can't say I would actually want the tourist numbers to increase during my stay as I'd rather have the city "to myself", so to speak. I am planning on tackling a whole lot of the city and have three or four days to do it in depending on how bad the jet lag is.

While Hong Kong is ever changing, I don't understand why it needs a new look for the world? It's arguably the most visually stunning place on the entire planet from what I've seen in photographs and quite frankly, I'm expecting to be completely blown away... not too long ago, I was very pro-NYC and ignorant to Hong Kong and what is had to offer. That has changed completely, and now I'm viewing New York as nearly inferior and I haven't even visited HK yet!

There isn't any other city in the world that has the combination of such great urban density, culture, technology, infrastructure, food, shopping, nightlife, vibrancy, street markets, mountains, hills, beaches, harbour with ultra-modern and futuristic architecture, an incredibly safe city and yeah, the greatest skyline in the world all in ONE PLACE!

Terrence

January 13th, 2006, 05:33 AM

hkskyline

January 15th, 2006, 07:35 PM

Strict ownership rules limit condo concept in Hong Kong
15 January 2006
South China Morning Post

In the past two months, two overseas hotels have been launched for sale in Hong Kong.

GuestInvest, a London-based buy-to-let hotel operator, offered a 170-room hotel project in Paddington, London, with rooms selling for between $2.3 million and $4.7 million. Intrawest marketed rooms of The Westin Trillium House at Blue Mountain in Canada for $1.6 million to $5.1 million.

David Faulkner of Colliers International said Hong Kong investors had been buying hotel rooms overseas, including high-rise properties in city centres and resorts, for a long time. Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are among the popular choices while some investors are now looking at Vietnam.

"Hong Kong people generally buy the hotel rooms for investment rather than as holiday homes. They provide pretty good returns from 6 to 10 per cent a year," he said.

"These investors tend to be wealthier and have money to invest. Most of them are diversifying their investment portfolios by including hotel rooms which usually cost about US$200,000 to US$300,000 each. In some cases, it costs less than US$100,000."

In Asia, the concept of a hotel-room investment is less developed than in the US and Europe. Some of the properties for sale are not purpose-designed hotels but condominiums or apartments.

The attraction of the concept is that investors own a fully furnished unit with marketing, rental and maid service provided. They do not need to deal with tenants or worry about maintenance, provided the management is good.

When they go there for their vacation, the room is ready and clean.

But in Hong Kong, the concept of hotel-room investment shows little sign of taking hold in the near future.

Strict regulatory controls on hotel ownership are probably to blame for the absence of such a market, with big developers and hotel groups the only ones having the finances to invest in the sector.

Mr Faulkner said there was a lack of demand for condo hotels in Hong Kong while most people here bought residential properties as their homes. At the same time, the existing regulations do not encourage the strata-title sale of hotel rooms.

In 1998, a small hotel in Western was once released for sale to individual investors by circumventing the regulatory restrictions through a company share sale arrangement but received a poor response. Analysts said the division of property title was a concern to address while banks were less likely to provide financing for such an investment.

At present, a few new hotel projects coming on stream have the potential of being turned into condo hotels. But it remains uncertain if the developers will sell the rooms on strata title.

In Hunghom, for example, Cheung Kong (Holdings) has two new hotels Harbourfront Horizon and Harbourview Horizon which together comprise more than 3,000 rooms.

The developer can sell the rooms individually if it chooses to because the land lease of the site does not state clearly that the hotel cannot be sold on strata title.

Although Cheung Kong indicated earlier that the hotels would be kept for investment, the fact the developer had already submitted an application to the government for pre-sale of the property raised some eyebrows.

hkskyline

January 18th, 2006, 05:27 AM

Mandarin Oriental fires 20 despite promise
18 January 2006
South China Morning Post

The Mandarin Oriental has laid off 20 workers despite a promise that there would be no redundancies during its eight-month renovation.

The five-star hotel said yesterday the 20 redundancies were found to be necessary only after an internal review of services following the hotel's temporary closure last month.

"The hotel is under restructuring due to renovation and new dining and service concepts. The 20 redundancies are required after the company has objectively reviewed services at the hotel," said the director of communications, Shevaun Porter.

There was no plan for further redundancies at this time, she said.

Last month, the hotel announced that any staff who wanted to stay would be given training opportunities or work at other organisations in the Jardine group during the renovations.

The landmark hotel will be closed for eight months for a facelift that will cost US$140 million.

At least five laid-off workers from the hotel's steward and engineering departments have approached unions for help.

They are demanding reinstatement in their original jobs. The five have been with the hotel for seven to 13 years.

Unions are appealing for the other 15 to come forward.

The 20 workers received redundancy notices last week.

"The hotel promised no one would be fired because of the renovation. But it lied," said a sacked woman worker. "Many experienced workers were fired as the company wants to save money."

She said she was just about to start at a catering company under the group when she was made redundant.

The other four workers were also waiting for redeployment when they were given notice.

Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions deputy director Ip Wai-ming yesterday accused the hotel of deceiving workers.

Unionist legislator Wong Kwok-hing also accused the hotel of ignoring its social responsibilities.

A spokesman for the Labour Department said no workers had sought help from it so far.

About 820 staff work at the Mandarin Oriental in Central, which has been in service since 1963.

hkskyline

January 18th, 2006, 05:35 AM

Ocean Park is packing them in again, thanks to the opening of Disneyland, and some shrewd marketing
Lee Wing-sze
18 January 2006
South China Morning Post

EARLY SIGNS ARE that those cheering for the home team in the battle of the theme parks have been vindicated in their loyalty. On a recent visit to Ocean Park, marketing executive Kong Kin-sum and her family were surprised to find several areas almost as crowded as the streets of Mongkok.

"There were so many people, it was impossible to get in to some attractions," she says.

Although it long enjoyed the benefits of being the only leisure facility of its kind in Hong Kong, Ocean Park became a losing proposition after the 1997 handover. So when Hong Kong Disneyland opened four months ago, the naysayers were predicting its demise. The homegrown attraction might endure for a few more years by catering to mainland visitors, they said, but it would eventually succumb to the competition.

Yet the theme park in Wong Chuk Hang has showed no signs of fading. Although it refuses to disclose attendance figures for the past few months, the 29-year-old, 870,000-square-metre facility has apparently thrived, despite the presence of its big-brand rival. The recent holiday period was particularly busy, with so many locals trying to get in on Christmas Day that they caused gridlock in the district.

Cheaper tickets than Disneyland's may be one reason for rising attendance at Ocean Park. But there's more to the revival. The park has been undergoing a revamp over the past few years and the threat posed by Disney has only spurred the management to redouble its efforts.

Ocean Park's work is bearing fruit. Despite the crowds, Kong, who was making her first visit in six years, says the experience has changed her impression of the park. "It's much cleaner than the last time I visited," she says. "It has improved a lot and it's much more fun now."

Kong, who is in her 20s, says her family favours the homegrown attraction because it offers activities that children and adults can enjoy. "In Hong Kong, we'd prefer Ocean Park to Disneyland," says Kong, who brought along relatives from the US. "Disney parks in the US are bigger and more spectacular than the one in Hong Kong."

Ocean Park is divided into Headland and Lowland sections. Its attractions include a panda enclosure, shark aquarium, seals and sea lions, an artificial reef, a theatre for marine performances, roller coasters and a cable car.

Observers say Ocean Park has carved a niche for itself. Whereas Disney is about fantasy and its cartoon franchises, Ocean Park emphasises its nature and "edutainment", often collaborating with school groups.

Rather than slice into earnings, the US rival has lifted the theme park business. That has been the experience of Australia's Gold Coast, which has four international facilities, says theme park watcher John Ap, an associate professor in tourism management at the Polytechnic University. Bad publicity may also have dulled people's interest in visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney's arrival has forced Ocean Park to raise its game. "Disney sets a high standard in terms of cleanliness, service, aesthetics, and above all, fun," says Richard Foglesong, author of Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando. "Maybe they've pushed Ocean Park to a higher level."

Ocean Park logged more than four million visitors during the past financial year - more than two million of whom were from the mainland. Locals make up about 38 per cent of the total, with the remainder mostly from South-east Asia.

Credit goes to its managers for improving the facilities and clever promotions. Besides special discounts - for people with IDs ending with certain numbers, for instance - the park has also emphasised seasonally themed events.

These are mostly devised by senior events and entertainment manager Todd Hougland and his 60-strong team of production and technical crew and performers. Staff have also travelled the world to assess the latest entertainment trends and come up with new schemes.

"Our focus is to produce unique entertaining activities and themed atmosphere to give our guests a special reason to come back throughout the year," says Hougland, who has worked in 15 parks, including Universal Studios and Disney World in the US.

For example, last year's Big Splash summer activities attracted more than 900,000 visitors, a rise of about 40 per cent compared with the same period the previous year. Besides its popular Halloween revelry, the park also introduces special activities for the Lunar New Year and Easter holidays.

Wing On Travel Service general manager Lanny Leung Kong-lan says that although Disneyland is still the top attraction for mainland tourists, Ocean Park is an attractive alternative for locals, and its diversified programmes have boosted visitor numbers.

"Ocean Park's special programmes are quite appealing to locals who aren't holidaying overseas," she says. "Disneyland has its own limitations since it's only about Disney. Ocean Park can change its theme according to different festivals."

Park chairman Allan Zeman is buoyant about Ocean Park's future. That's a major turnaround from the dire situation he inherited in 2003. Due in part to its ageing facilities and the impact of the Asian financial crisis, the park suffered several consecutive years of losses - $85.1 million in 1998, $33.2 million in 1999, $23.7 million in 2000 and $80.5 million in 2001. If losses continued, the park was expected to fold within five years.

Zeman had to decide whether to close the park or overhaul it into a world-class marine park. He chose the latter. Thanks to refurbishment and promotions, the park has logged increasing profits, rising from $95.7 million in 2003 to $119.5 million in 2004. The makeover will be complete in five years with a number of new attractions.

Experts say savvy marketing has been crucial to the turnaround. Good relationships with travel agents - a major channel for ticket sales - have been key to the park's success, says marketing professor Oliver Yau Hon-ming of City University. By offering them bigger commissions, Yau says agents have more incentive to promote Ocean Park as part of their tour packages, while making Disney an optional stop.

"Distribution isn't something you can manage on your own," he says. "A lot of people in the tourism industry don't support Disney. This is a serious problem." The park will also have to improve its transport links. On a busy day, a long queue snakes around Lippo Centre in Admiralty for the shuttle bus to the park. A concern is whether the MTR Corporation's proposed South Island Line will be extended to provide a rapid rail link to the area.

"If Ocean Park can solve its transport connections, it will enjoy a bigger advantage," Yau says.

hkskyline

January 19th, 2006, 04:51 AM

LCQ1: Promoting and managing tourist attractions and facilities
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Wong Kwok-hing and a reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (January 18):

Question:

In connection with advertising, promoting and managing tourist attractions and facilities in Hong Kong, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether there is a government department with dedicated responsibilities for advertising, promoting and managing the existing tourist attractions in Hong Kong, including erecting signs, publishing articles on tourist attractions, and arranging cleansing, maintenance, repair and guided tour services, etc; if so, of the department concerned; if not, which departments are sharing such responsibilities;

(b) whether members of the public may express their views to the Commissioner for Tourism on the facilities and supporting services of existing tourist attractions; if so, whether the authorities have assessed if the Commissioner, at the current rank and with the existing powers, is able to coordinate various policy bureaux and government departments in dealing with such views; if the assessment results indicate that the Commissioner is unable to perform the coordinating role, how the authorities will assist the Commissioner in performing this role; and

(c) of the mechanism in place for the public to put forward suggestions to the Commissioner regarding the identification of new tourist attractions and for the Commissioner to evaluate such suggestions?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) There are many different types of tourist attractions and facilities in Hong Kong. Most of these facilities are managed and maintained by the relevant Government departments which also provide guided tour service.

For tourism projects or district enhancement schemes co-ordinated by the Tourism Commission, e.g., the Wisdom Path, Hong Kong Wetland Park, beautification works for Sai Kung Waterfront, the Peak Improvement Scheme, etc., the Tourism Commission will discuss with the relevant departments and decide at the planning stage on future management issues to ensure that the facilities would be properly managed and maintained after completion. For example, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will be responsible for the management, maintenance, and promotion of the Hong Kong Wetland Park as well as the provision of guided tour services. Regarding the division of work among departments on the management of tourist facilities, it depends on the nature of the facilities and the respective expertise and purview of the departments. The responsible departments will also provide appropriate supplementary services, e.g. information boards, guided tour service, etc., to enhance visitors' knowledge and appreciation of the attractions or facilities. For example, the Space Museum, Science Museum, Cultural Centre and other museums are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The LCSD also provides guided tour service at the facilities, and produces publications to introduce them.

Regarding marketing and promotion, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) works closely with the tourism trade to market and promote Hong Kong tourism worldwide. Its promotion activities include organising road shows and exhibitions in the Mainland and overseas; arranging familiarisation visits by the overseas travel trade to Hong Kong; as well as promoting the tourism projects, attractions and facilities in Hong Kong in order to attract overseas visitors. The HKTB also produces publications for distribution to the travel trade and visitors. Information about the tourist attractions and facilities has already been uploaded onto the websites of the Tourism Commission and the HKTB, which are also hyperlinked to concerned departments' websites, for the information of the public and visitors.

(b) Under the existing mechanism, members of the public who have views on how to improve existing tourist attractions and their complementary services, can send their comments to the concerned departments or to the Tourism Commission. Upon receipt of such suggestions, the Tourism Commission will refer them to the relevant department and will co-ordinate follow-up action with the departments concerned as necessary.

(c) The Tourism Commission welcomes public comments on the enhancement of tourism development and construction of new tourist facilities in Hong Kong. The public can send their comments and suggestions in writing or through the website of the Tourism Commission. We have an established mechanism for the Tourism Commission to convene an inter-departmental committee to study suggestions received. In considering the suggestions, the committee will focus on their feasibility and attractiveness to the tourists. Subject to the content and nature of the suggestions, the committee will decide on the appropriate follow up action.

Overall, the Government has an effective mechanism for various departments to manage different Government tourist attractions and facilities. The role of the Tourism Commission is to co-ordinate and facilitate the overall development of the tourism industry. The existing mechanism is operating smoothly. The resources and expertise of different departments are effectively utilised and their roles and responsibilities clearly defined.

hkskyline

January 20th, 2006, 04:04 AM

New World deal to pave the way for Hyatt return
Developer and hotel operator in final stages of talks on management contract
541 words
16 January 2006
South China Morning Post

The legacy of the recently closed Hyatt Regency lives on in Tsim Sha Tsui, with plans at an advanced stage for the group to operate a 320-room hotel on Hanoi Road early next year, according to sources.

Chicago-based Global Hyatt Corp was in the final stages of discussions on a management contract for the luxury hotel project, part of a one million square foot redevelopment by New World Development and the Urban Renewal Authority, the sources say.

"They are putting some final touches to the details of the hotel management contract," said a source familiar with the discussions between New World and Hyatt. "A conclusion is expected in two months."

The Hanoi Road hotel building was expected to be completed early next year, the source said.

New World spokesman Kwan Chuk-fai said negotiations to award a management contract to an international hotel company were proceeding.

Given the tourism boom, with Tsim Sha Tsui a particular hub for visitors, many had expected the Hyatt to reaffirm its presence in the area after the 723-room Hyatt Regency closed its doors after 36 years.

Its exit comes at a time when hotel supply in the area struggles to meet demand.

The new project "will replenish less than half of the some 700 rooms the Hyatt has closed in the district", Eric Wong, co-head of Asia properties at UBS, said.

"Hong Kong is facing a big question mark on whether it has enough upmarket tourist beds to feed rising demand."

The hotelier also runs the waterfront Grand Hyatt in Wan Chai with 570 rooms.

It faces increased competition at the higher end from recent additions, notably the deluxe Four Seasons Hotel on the Central waterfront and the boutique Landmark Mandarin hotel that opened in the Central shopping district last year.

Tourist arrivals are expected to see single-digit growth this year. Mr Wong said this year would be a "pricing power year" for Hong Kong hoteliers after robust growth in occupancy in the past two years.

Last year, average occupancy at the city's top-end hotels hovered around 85 per cent on the back of a stronger economy and an increase in visitors.

About 5,000 rooms came on stream last year with a further 6,000 expected this year. The new supply is expected to slow room rate growth, potentially hindering yields.

The Hyatt Regency building and its associated shopping centre are to be torn down to make way for a retail and commercial complex.

The hotel has held a sale of its property, including limousines, grand pianos, televisions, refrigerators, pots and pans, linen and cutlery.

It caused mayhem when thousands of people turned up to buy the goods and police had to be called in.

It is understood, however, that the hotel has kept several pieces of signature inventory for its planned comeback.

The property, with its famous Hugo's French restaurant, where the late Bruce Lee and film boss Raymond Chow met for their first film, is to be replaced by a $1 billion shopping and entertainment complex.

hkskyline

January 22nd, 2006, 07:22 PM

23m visitor arrivals have travel chiefs beaming
21 January 2006
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's travel industry is optimistic about prospects for this year after visitor arrivals passed the 23 million mark last year.

The figure represents a 7.1 per cent increase on 2004, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said yesterday as it released the figures.

Visitor numbers from international markets jumped 13.1 per cent to a record 10.8 million.

Arrivals from the mainland reached 12.5 million, a mere 2.4 per cent rise compared with the double-digit growth of the past few years.

Joseph Tung Yao-chung, chairman of the Travel Industry Council, said the figures proved that Hong Kong had succeeded in becoming an international travel destination.

"I am glad to see that growth in the mainland inbound market has slowed down," Mr Tung said. "We are having a healthy combination of international and mainland visitors, and this should boost our image as a cosmopolitan city."

Clara Chong Ming-wah, the board's executive director, agreed.

The modest growth in mainland arrivals reflected a consolidation of the "extraordinary gains" Hong Kong had made in 2004, she said.

Mr Tung expected strong growth in arrivals, especially from the international market, this year, with the AsiaWorld Expo now open and the Lantau cable car service coming on stream.

He said there could be a need for more hotel rooms, even though occupancy rates dipped slightly to 86 per cent last year as the number of rooms increased from 39,128 to 43,866.

hkskyline

January 26th, 2006, 04:20 AM

January 25, 2006
Government Press Release
HK ready for tourist influx

Hong Kong is prepared for the influx of Mainland tourists during the Lunar New Year Golden Week, Tourism Commissioner Eva Cheng says. About 500,000 Mainlanders are expected to visit Hong Kong during the period, up 10% on last year.

More than half will be Individual Visit Scheme visitors and about 16% will come in tour groups. The Immigration Department will deploy 77 extra staff at checkpoints. A joint command centre will be activated between January 20 and February 7 to monitor passenger flow.

Cross-boundary coach quotas will be issued for Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok January 24 to February 7, raising their daily carrying capacities by up to 35% of those on normal weekends.

More shuttle buses

The Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang shuttle bus service will deploy more buses, and the Kowloon Canton Railway East Rail will raise the frequency of Lo Wu services to 14 trains an hour in each direction, increasing handling capacity by 16.7%.

Ms Cheng said hotel demand has been strong due to a surge in the number of group tour visitors. Bookings for medium-tariff hotels are almost full.

The Travel Industry Council has reminded inbound travel agents to ensure confirmation of accommodation before taking up Mainland tour groups. Travel agents have been asked to make appropriate arrangements on the itinerary to minimise the waiting time for immigration clearance and avoid overcrowding any one attraction.

The Hotels Association will upload the forecast occupancy rate for Golden Week at www.hkha.org.

hkskyline

January 27th, 2006, 06:01 AM

Tourism sector under threat

Facing a huge challenge this year amid the bird flu threat and growing global competition for mainland visitors, Hong Kong Tourism Board chairwoman Selina Chow urged the public to invite more of their friends to visit the SAR.

Wendy Leung
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, January 27, 2006

Facing a huge challenge this year amid the bird flu threat and growing global competition for mainland visitors, Hong Kong Tourism Board chairwoman Selina Chow urged the public to invite more of their friends to visit the SAR.
"I hope we'll be able to survive under these threats," she said in an interview. "If bird flu breaks out and becomes transmissible among humans, local tourism will be worse than that during SARS."

The 2003 SARS outbreak killed 299 people in Hong Kong and slashed the number of long-haul tourists to the territory by 90 percent, with shopping malls, restaurants and the airport looking like graveyards.

The bird flu threat has already forced the government to delay the scheduled spring opening of north Tin Shui Wai's Hong Kong Wetland Park, a landmark ecotourism project with a 60-hectare nature reserve populated by a chorus of birds.

The government hopes the park, along with the recently-opened Disneyland and the Lantau cable car project slated to open in June, would help attract visitors to the city, especially families, who tend to spend more than most other categories of tourists.

"As long as people think birds will spread the disease, it's better not to open it [the wetland park]," Chow said.

Still, she is confident Hong Kong will achieve its target of 27 million visitors this year.

During the Lunar New Year, she estimates, there will be 700,000 tourists in the territory - about the same as last year and 90,000 more than in 2004 - completely snapping up all of the city's nearly 50,000 hotel rooms.

However, as mainlanders get wealthier, they may like to head for more distant destinations including Europe, Japan, South Korea and South Asia, especially since these places are making every effort to attract them.

"Everyone is looking at the mainland market," said Chow. "People are getting richer."

While the number of arrivals from the mainland reached 12.5 million last year, which is a record, it still represented merely a 2.4 percent increase over 2004.

For its part, Chow said, Hong Kong will put up a good fight, since it offers more attractive prices on brand names and has a very accessible shopping environment.

"Moreover, Hong Kong is a trilingual city, while mainlanders can't communicate easily with people in Japan or Korea," she said.

What will hurt competition is if the current tight demand for hotel rooms encourages operators to squeeze visitors into small and uncomfortable rooms.

For the whole of last year, the number of tourists to the territory surpassed 23 million, generating total revenue of HK$70 billion.

Chow, also vice chairwoman of the pro-business Liberal Party, warned: "Hotel room rates are bound to go up because this is a free market. I'm really worried this will lower our tourism competitiveness."

She expects room rates to return to more competitive levels as there's some light at the end of the tunnel with the number of hotel rooms this year due to rise by 4,000 to 51,000.

"So, I believe room rates will eventually be adjusted to more competitive levels," Chow said.

hkskyline

January 30th, 2006, 07:45 AM

Chief Executive vows to support Hong Kong's tourism

HONG KONG, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will continue to give unlimited support to tourism, consolidating Hong Kong's status as the first destination for Chinese mainland and overseas tourists, Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Sunday.

Speaking at the 2006 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade at Tamar Site, Tsang said visitor arrivals in Hong Kong reached 23 million in 2005, up 7.5 percent over a year earlier, the best annual total on record.

The government will continue its close cooperation with all sectors, upgrading Hong Hong's service level and strengthening its ability as an Asian world city, Tsang added.

The Parade, organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is the first major event in a fun-filled series of high-profile promotions for "2006 Discover Hong Kong Year".

"With all its color and action, the Parade showcases what Hong Kong is offering to our visitors - a dazzling, energetic and entertaining tourism destination," Tsang said.

Altogether nine elaborately decorated floats and 15 overseas and 16 local performing troupes took part in the procession.

hkskyline

January 31st, 2006, 02:41 AM

Regal Hotels to add 400 rooms as shortage hits
Staff reporter
Hong Kong Standard
Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Regal Hotels International Holdings, a mid-sized Hong Kong-listed hotel owner, plans to add 400 rooms in the city by the end of this year to capture supply shortage, investment bank CLSA said.

The company plans to add 300 rooms to its Regal Riverside Hotel in Sha Tin, and 100 rooms to Regal Orient Hotel in Kowloon City, although only 49 rooms have been approved by the government, it said.

"Regal plans to capitalize on the shortage in hotel rooms supply in Hong Kong and is looking to increase its saleable area over the next two years, by adding another 400 rooms to its existing inventory of 3,350 by end of 2006," CLSA said in a research report.

Hong Kong's tourist arrivals rose 7.1 percent to 23 million last year and mainland tourists accounted for more than half of the total. The Hong Kong Tourism Board targets tourist arrivals to rise to 27 million this year.

Despite the rising number of tourists and hotels in the city last year, hotel occupancy slid to 83 percent in 2005 from 86 percent in 2004, according to the Tourism Board's data. Still, average room rates rose 16.4 percent to HK$934.

Regal's chairman Lo Yuk-sui said he expects room rates for some of the group's five Hong Kong properties to climb 10-20 percent this year on the back of the rising number of mainland visitors and economic growth. In the first 11 months of last year, the group's room rates rose by 15 percent to 20 percent.

CLSA forecasts Regal's revenue per available room to report a 19 percent increase for 2005 to HK$693, and another 19 percent this year to HK$822 on a 20 percent and 16 percent increase in average rate, respectively.

"Regal Airport [Hotel] is currently the only hotel situated within five minutes from Asia's biggest convention centre [AsiaWorld-Expo] and just eight-10 minutes from Disneyland. Room rates are also set to increase by 20 percent in 2006, and 10 percent in 2007," CLSA said.

Apart from Regal Aiport, Regal Oriental and Regal Riverside, the group also owns Regal Hongkong Hotel and Regal Kowloon Hotel.

hkskyline

February 3rd, 2006, 05:52 AM

Far East to build hotel for $237m in Western
3 February 2006
South China Morning Post

Far East Consortium International plans to build a 250-room hotel at a recently acquired site in Western district at a total investment cost of about $237 million, according to a source.

The company signed an agreement to buy a 6,200 square foot site in Davis Street, Kennedy Town, from Wang On Group.

A source close to the company said Far East planned to develop a 250-room, three- or four-star hotel at an investment cost of about $950,000 per room.

Based on the budget per room, the total cost for the 250-room project would be $237.5 million.

Far East chief financial officer Bill Mok declined to comment on the acquisition, only saying: "We have been looking for suitable sites for hotel development."

He said all its hotels had been fully booked over the Lunar New Year. "Our room rates have increased by 10 per cent to 15 per cent," he said.

Interim profit fell 32 per cent to $139.43 million for the six months to September.

The firm is also developing 3,190 rooms in four hotels in Macau, as well as a casino and a commercial and serviced apartment complex, as part of the Cotai Strip development. The whole development is due to be completed in 2007-08.

In response to mounting speculation about selling its hotel as a real estate investment trust (reit), Mr Mok said Far East had been approached by various bankers.

"But it is still remote and there are no concrete plans at the moment," he said.

At the same time, Macquarie Goodman, which was expected to list a reit this year, is exploring the feasibility of setting up a private fund instead.

The Australian property company was yesterday reported to have abandoned its bid to list a reit and was instead considering selling its assets as a private fund to existing investors due to waning investor appetite. Stephen Hawkins, chief executive of Macquarie Goodman Asia, declined to comment.

However, according to a source close to Macquarie Goodman Asia, the firm will establish a fund in the first half of this year.

"[Macquarie] will set up a fund in the first half at any rate. But [they] have not made any decision on listing the fund or not. The option [listing or selling as a private fund] is still open. [The] group has listed the trust in Singapore and Australia and it's not necessary to have a listed fund in each city.

"The Hong Kong reit market's performance has been a success and it gives confidence to funds and investors coming to the Hong Kong market.

"[Macquarie] will decide whether to list the reit on the stock market or not in the next couple of months and the fund will be spun off as soon as July," he added.

Macquarie has five industrial buildings in Hong Kong. Its Hong Kong portfolio is worth more than $4.7 billion.

hkskyline

February 4th, 2006, 06:11 PM

Staff get the red carpet treatment
Leading chain fights high employee turnover in the industry with novel schemes to retain talent
4 February 2006
South China Morning Post

THE GOOD NEWS is hotel bookings are up in Hong Kong, thanks to a rebounding economy, a rise in tourist traffic from the mainland and increased corporate travel.

At the same time, the hospitality industry is facing a new challenge as human resource departments try to retain employees looking for better opportunities.

With Disneyland open in Hong Kong, and Macau emerging as Asia's Las Vegas, poaching of staff has become commonplace.

Widespread headhunting has made retaining employees difficult. The Hong Kong Hotels Association puts the average staff turnover at 20 per cent.

Hotel Nikko Hong Kong, in Tsim Sha Tsui East - part of a chain of more than 50 hotels worldwide - is one of many hotels in Hong Kong looking for replacement staff.

Alison Lam, human resources director of Hotel Nikko Hong Kong, said: "There is always a certain level of turnover."

Openings for restaurant and bar staff come up throughout the year.

The hotel, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, is also expanding its management team.

"We are creating new positions and looking for new blood to improve service levels," Ms Lam said.

Hotel Nikko recently created the post of a revenue manager to manage room rates, occupancy and strategy.

The hotel also needs a new sales director to oversee corporate accounts and travel business.

Both positions require work experience in five-star hotels, and come with attractive salaries.

Incentives include a policy of internal promotions to improve the long-term career prospects of all employees.

The supervisory staff at the hotel, such as captains of restaurants, floors and front-office desks, are sent to the Vocational Training Council.

Every member of staff is taught English and Japanese.

Hotel Nikko also offers its employees the opportunity to develop their skills overseas. Chefs and restaurant captains are temporarily posted to other group hotels, usually in Japan, to gain experience.

Last year, the hotel introduced an award - a free holiday for a group of employees - for brilliant ideas that improve operations and revenue.

So far, about 10 per cent of the staff have enjoyed four-day company-sponsored holidays in Taiwan, Korea and Thailand.

"The time off [ work] is not deducted from holidays," Ms Lam said. "We are continuing the scheme this year on the same scale."

Another incentive offered is a long service gratuity after a minimum of five years of service. The amount, depending on grade and seniority, ranges from $4,000 to $20,000. More than 40 per cent of staff have so far received the gratuity. This helps retain employees, who hesitate to seek opportunities elsewhere before the five years are up.

Staff can also earn rewards on a day-to-day basis. They could be rewarded a buffet dinner for two if they are complimented by guests for exceptional service or if they help beyond the call of duty.

An award for grooming excellence judges various departments on a quarterly basis. The winning group is treated to a fun night such as a barbecue, a karaoke evening or a dinner of their choice.

"This is done not just to retain staff, but also to create team spirit, increase motivation and keep everyone happy," Ms Lam said. "But pioneering a number of incentive schemes certainly seems to help with retention."

Hotel Nikko is also heavily recruiting summer interns from hotel and tourism schools in Hong Kong and overseas. Internships are provided with a view to employ the interns after they graduate.

hkskyline

February 12th, 2006, 06:11 PM

黃竹坑變身酒店區
9 February 2006
信報

受旅遊業暢旺、海洋公園擴建及地鐵興建南環線等利好消息刺激，包括華懋、恆地、長實、和黃及會德豐地產等，位於黃竹坑的工廈早申請轉作酒店並獲批准；嘉華地產日前亦向城規會申請把旗下兩幢工廈轉作酒店，預料獲得通過的機會很高。

嘉華去年兩度出擊購入工廈，日前同時申請轉作酒店發展。以約一億元購入的黃竹坑道三十四號華明大廈，地盤面積約一萬零九百零四方呎，申請興建一幢三十七層高酒店，總樓面面積約十六萬三千五百零五方呎，提供四百九十五個房間；另以八千二百萬元購入的業發街一號金寶大廈，地盤面積九千二百七十九方呎，申請興建一幢三十一層高酒店，樓面面積十三萬九千一百六十八方呎，提供四百零五個房間。

除了嘉華外，不少發展商早已進駐黃竹坑，華懋更成為首個獲批把區內工廈轉作酒店的發展商，旗下黃竹坑道五十五至五十七號項目正進行打樁工程。華懋酒店部董事總經理谷憲徽指出，由於看好香港旅遊業，加上憧憬海洋公園擴建及南環線所帶來的正面影響，故此在黃竹坑投資興建酒店；該酒店最快在二○○七年中落成，屬四星級，約四百個房間。他指出，連同已開幕的銅鑼灣酒店，及將開幕的荃灣及淺水灣酒店在內，華懋在港擁有二千多個酒店房間。

資料顯示，城規會二○○一年把黃竹坑工業區由「工業」地帶改劃為「其他指定用途」註明「商貿」地帶，讓工業區轉型，迄今約十個項目獲批轉作酒店，雖然華懋率先落實興建酒店，但不少項目仍處商討補地價階段。

嘉華地產高級物業經理尹紫薇坦言，雖然看好黃竹坑五至十年中長線的發展前景，不過最後是否落實興建酒店，須視乎將來的補地價多寡及當時的市況而定■

hkskyline

February 13th, 2006, 05:37 PM

Tourism chiefs wary in face of bird flu
13 February 2006
South China Morning Post

Tourism chiefs want a clearer picture to emerge on the spread of the bird flu virus before devoting resources to promote the 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign to short-haul markets.

"There is growing concern about avian flu but we are more concerned about where it happens around the world," Hong Kong Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong Ming-wah said.

Ms Chong said the board had learned to keep its plans flexible based on its experiences during the Sars outbreak in 2003, and carried out weekly and monthly reviews of its plans and strategies.

The global campaign, which covers the second half of last year as well as this year, was announced 11 months ago. It was launched in the long-haul markets of North America and Europe last autumn. However, marketing to short-haul visitors had largely been consigned to the key Japanese "office lady" market for the time being, pending further information on the spread of the bird flu virus, Ms Chong said.

Hong Kong is among the 40 places and countries cited by the World Health Organisation as having so-called "preparedness plans".

"I am not saying we are prepared, but we are gearing up for it and are learning from the past," she said. "We can't put all our eggs in one basket. We must have diversity in our market and segment portfolios."

The tourism board is confident of achieving its goal of more than 27 million arrivals this year, or a year-on-year increase of 15.9 per cent from more than 23 million in 2005. Last year's growth was 7.1 per cent. The mainland was the biggest source of tourists last year at more than 12.5 million, an increase of 2.4 per cent, but Ms Chong warned this market would "steady {hellip} as we cannot expect it to grow for ever".

For January and February this year, arrival numbers have been on target, fuelled mainly by short-haul visitors during the Lunar New Year. "With short-haul visitors, we know we face competition, including from Macau. Everyone is investing in new terminals, carriers and infrastructure, so it is important that we have a new strategy," she said.

The competition for tourist dollars might prove tougher for Hong Kong as this month's scenes of ticketing chaos at Disneyland would hurt the tourism trade. Ticket holders, many of them members of mainland tour groups, were turned away from the sold-out theme park.

"Communication is the key," Ms Chong said.

To better co-ordinate its promotional efforts on the mainland, the board is opening its fourth office tomorrow in Chengdu , capital of Sichuan province. The other branches are in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

hkskyline

February 16th, 2006, 06:14 AM

港酒店或供不應求
16 February 2006
信報

　　據旅發局資料顯示，目前全港酒店房間供應量約為四萬四千間，若以「亞洲航空展」過去曾吸引接近三萬商務旅客計算，本港能否提供足夠房間數目予商務及同期訪港旅客，均受外界關注。

　　有酒店業人士表示，隨著香港逐漸增加酒店數目，預計情況應能有所改善；展覽業人士則指出，不排除部分商務旅客將改選華南地區酒店。

　　香港酒店業主聯會執行總幹事李漢城表示，本港酒店數目將於今年底增加至五萬二千房間，並在二○○七年多增一千多個房額，預計未來的酒店數目將逐漸增加；由於展覽業是季節性行業，因此相信未來的酒店數目，應能足夠提供區內的訪客人數■

hkskyline

February 23rd, 2006, 05:05 PM

Mandarin Oriental earnings up on strong demand

LONDON/HONG KONG, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental International Ltd. reported 2005 earnings per share had more than doubled on strong demand and expected conditions to remain favourable in 2006.

The hotel chain said on Thursday 2005 earnings per share rose to 8.14 U.S. cents from 3.35 cents a year ago.

Net profits of the chain, a unit of one of Asia's oldest trading group, Jardine Matheson Group , rose 171 percent on the year to US$77 million in 2005, it said in a statement.

The yearly earnings included a post-tax gain of US$36 million from the disposal of property interest in Hawaii.

"In 2005, we saw strengthening demand across all markets. There has been double-digit growth in average room rates in 2005 and 2004," Chief Executive Edouard Ettedgui told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Its room rates rose across the board last year with Hong Kong and Macau rising an average of 22 percent on the year.

There is potential for further growth in room rates, Ettedgui said, adding that they should pick up to their high levels in the mid-1990s.

Currently Mandarin Oriental are operating 21 hotels and building more, three of them -- one in China, one in Mexico and the other in Prague -- would open this year, Ettedgui said.

Mandarin Oriental has said it planned to spend $140 million to renovate its flagship hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.

"The temporary closure of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong will inevitably affect the Group's results, the effect will be partially offset by increasing contributions from new properties," the company said in the statement.

Ettedgui said the renovation went on very smoothly and the hotel was on track to reopen in September.

Shares of Mandarin Oriental fell 1.05 percent to close at US$0.94 on Thursday in Singapore.

hkskyline

February 24th, 2006, 08:27 PM

Mandarin room rates to hit US$350 after costly facelift
24 February 2006
South China Morning Post

Mandarin Oriental plans to charge as much as US$350 per room per night after completing a US$140 million facelift in August, breaking the hotel's US$300 rate during the 1996 boom.

Edouard Ettedgui, the chief executive of Singapore-listed Mandarin Oriental International, said yesterday he was confident strong market conditions would continue until the luxury hotel in Central reopened in August.

Mr Ettedgui said the eight-month renovation would turn the 42-year-old hotel into a room rate leader among Hong Kong's top-end hotels.

"You can buy a lot of things in your life, but you can't buy history," he said. "US$140 million is a lot of money, and we are spending that money on a comeback for a legendary hotel."

Renovation of the hotel was 58 per cent completed.

Mr Ettedgui said the hotel had leased all the ground floor retail space at a "significantly higher" average rental than before the renovations, with upmarket boutique Chloe among the new tenants and high-end fashion brand Salvatore Ferragamo retaining its lease.

Property agent sources said Chloe's rental stood at $600 per square foot for a 3,000 square foot site on the ground floor, making it the highest paying tenant per square foot in Central.

Strong demand last year boosted the hotel's room rate 22 per cent to US$256 on an average occupancy of 81 per cent.

Mr Ettedgui expected the group's newly opened hotels, including the nearby Landmark Mandarin, would help mitigate losses during the Mandarin Oriental's renovation.

The boutique hotel at Landmark charged an average rate "in excess of US$400" per room per night, "a rate-setter in Hong Kong", while its 113 rooms were about 75 per cent filled on average since its opening in August last year, he said.

The group's other property, the Excelsior hotel in Causeway Bay, also did well, with its 883 rooms enjoying an occupancy rate of 88 per cent, and its average rate 22 per cent higher.

Hong Kong's strong performance was boosted by an after-tax gain of US$36 million after divesting the Mandarin hotel in Hawaii which lifted the group's attributable profit by 170.87 per cent to US$77.2 million last year.

Excluding the one-off gain, net profit increased 44.21 per cent to US$41.1 million.

vincent

February 24th, 2006, 09:26 PM

The facelift cost US$140 million?? They probably can build a brand new hotel with that much money.

hkskyline

March 2nd, 2006, 02:06 AM

Call to repackage Hong Kong as a family destination for tourists
2 March 2006
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong can take advantage of its growing appeal as a family-friendly destination to boost tourist numbers, the Tourism Board said.

But stiff competition from neighbouring resort destinations, more direct flight connections to rising markets like the mainland, and the lack of suitable hotels for young families pose challenges.

Sydney-based Andrew Clark, the board's regional director for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, said there was room to grow the family segment, which accounted for one in eight of the visitors from Australia who stay overnight. Some 39 per cent of these visitors are accompanied on trips to Hong Kong by children under 16. The largest group is middle-aged holidaymakers, who represent one-third of the total.

"Now that we have Hong Kong Disneyland, we can lump in other infrastructure like Ocean Park, the Tung Chung Cable Car and the Hong Kong Wetland Park," and repackage Hong Kong as an attractive family destination, Mr Clark said.

Overall, 2.18 million visitors arrived in Hong Kong in January, up 15.6 per cent from a year ago.

Mr Clark said the hotel infrastructure was less accommodating to families with children below six, and that this would affect tourism growth.

Luxury hotels have largely been focusing on well-heeled guests and business travellers.

Yesterday, Island Shangri-La formed a partnership with Bombardier Skyjet International to launch packages combining private air travel and luxury accommodation.

The increasing availability of cheaper short-haul air travel has also spurred the board to promote Hong Kong as part of multiple-city travel packages to capitalise on high-potential markets like South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand.

Hong Kong Disneyland has designated 11 more days around Easter and the May "golden week" holiday as special days to better manage visitor flow during peak periods.

The aim is to avoid a repeat of the ticketing problems experienced over the Lunar New Year break.

hkskyline

March 4th, 2006, 07:05 PM

City caters for a boom
The burgeoning tourism sector will offer plenty of opportunities for those with the right training tourism
4 March 2006
South China Morning Post

TOURISM IS ONE of the industries that the government has been taking pains to develop in recent years. High profile examples include Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, but these are only the tip of the iceberg.

According to one study, 20 new hotels will be needed over the next decade to cope with visitor demand.

All of this will result in plenty of career opportunities for those with the right training.

"In the post-second world war years, Hong Kong was clearly positioned as a low-cost regional destination, with most visitors coming from Singapore, Japan and Taiwan," said David Ahlstrom, a professor in the management department of the Faculty of Business Administration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

"They were attracted by the hotels, food and shopping - all of which were cheap."

Prices started rising dramatically in the late 1980s, culminating in the Asian economic crisis, which swept the region in 1997.

"This turned Hong Kong into a moderate to high-priced destination," Professor Ahlstrom said.

"People no longer thought of Hong Kong as a cheap place. They thought of it more as a centre for fashion - along the lines of London or New York."

The tourism sector should provide a lot of what Professor Ahlstrom calls "good entry level jobs" in the years to come. Hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments catering to tourists will all need qualified staff.

"Quite a lot of chefs will be needed, and they will not necessarily need to be university educated," he said, adding that the city's commercial sector was also undergoing a significant transformation.

Despite all the talk about Hong Kong's economic transformation in recent years, Professor Ahlstrom believes the city is simply getting back to what it has always done best: serving as a middleman between China and the rest of the world.

That role was interrupted in the post-war years when, as a British colony, Hong Kong became a centre of light manufacturing, producing items such as plastic flowers, low-cost watches, and inexpensive garments. Now that most manufacturers have moved their operations across the border and the mainland's economy is booming, Hong Kong's time-honoured role is being resurrected.

"Hong Kong is now rediscovering its traditional role as a middleman," Professor Ahlstrom said.

"That was its role before the second world war, when it served as an entrepot for both China and Britain.

"It played this role very successfully in the past. It wasn't always a centre of light manufacturing."

But Helen Lange, MBA programme director at Singapore-based Universitas 21Global, believes that Hong Kong should not overplay the China card.

"It has been very myopic with respect to China, treating it as its key market," she said.

"There are other markets out there, and other parts of China could surpass Hong Kong if it's only looking one way."

hkskyline

March 5th, 2006, 06:49 PM

March 4, 2006
Government Press Release Extract
Individual visit scheme expansion mooted

Chief Executive Donald Tsang hopes the individual visit scheme can be extended to six more cities in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, bringing an additional 20 million Mainland tourists to Hong Kong.

Speaking to the media in Beijing tonight, Mr Tsang said he has spoken with National Tourism Administration Director Shao Qiwei on the idea, which will bring the number of Mainland cities covered under the scheme to 44.

During the meeting with Information Technology Minister Wang Xudong, Mr Tsang suggested a further opening up of telecoms services in the region. He also briefed Mr Wang on the preparations for ITU Telecom World 2006 to be held in Hong Kong this December. It is expected to draw more than 60,000 visitors to the city, reaping considerable economic benefits.

hkskyline

March 8th, 2006, 05:40 AM

Heritage key to boosting SAR tourism and business
Leslie Kwoh
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Hong Kong should capitalize on its local heritage - and not imported concepts - if it wants to build a strong tourism sector and stave off competition from neighboring cities, business leaders and conservationists suggested Tuesday.

The Business Environment Council invited more than 15 experts from Hong Kong and overseas to speak at its conference on sustainable tourism, with many arguing the global trend towards nature - and heritage-based tourism - presents a business opportunity for Hong Kong, where some 40 percent of land area is designated as country parks.

Keynote speaker and tourism functional constituency legislator Howard Young described tourism as a business product that required both market and environmental sustainability.

While Hong Kong has made significant progress since the 1997 Asian financial crisis in boosting tourism, he said an unclear conservation policy and poor communication between government departments had led to an "unhealthy situation."

He called for the creation of a body comprising environmentalists, political parties, pressure groups and the public to supervise the government.

Conservancy Association chairman Betty Ho agreed, saying Hong Kong needs to strengthen its local identity and exhibit more of its local lifestyle.

"We want Hong Kong to be a global city, not a globalized city," she said.

According to Ho, large-scale imported projects like Disneyland and the Avenue of Stars are "fast-food" types of entertainment and, therefore, easily replaceable. Instead, she proposed placing more emphasis on culturally unique facets of Hong Kong, such as street markets and dai pai dongs - the small street-side eateries being phased out.

Tourists coming to Hong Kong want to experience the local lifestyle, she pointed out. If the government gave more consideration to public opinion when planning tourism projects - a "bottom-up" approach - tourists would be able to enjoy a more culturally rich experience.

The "bottom-up" approach has apparently succeeded in Macau, where locals are often invited to participate in cultural events held at historical sites, according to Angie Wong, an architect from the Cultural Heritage Department in Macau.

"It reinforces a sense of ownership and encourages an attitude of appreciation," she said. "Unlike Hong Kong, Macau does not have mega-scale monuments. Many are small, simple, unpolished gemstones but, combined, they present a cohesive time capsule in history."

While Hong Kong may also have its own array of unique heritage sites, speakers said many tourists and even locals simply do not know how to access them. "Hong Kong is far more than simply a shopping and dining paradise," said chief operating officer of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp, Andrew Long.

hkskyline

March 15th, 2006, 06:32 AM

March 14, 2006
Government Press Release
Five more cities to join individual visit scheme

Five more Mainland cities will join the individual visit scheme on May 1, Premier Wen Jiabao says. The close ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland and the Mainland's next five-year plan will boost prosperity and development in both places.

Premier Wen said nearly nine years after Hong Kong returned to the motherland, the capitalist system and legal system here have remained unchanged. Hong Kong people's freedom and rights are guaranteed.

He pointed out the improvement in the city's economy and people's living standards is conducive to promoting the democratic and political system according to the Basic Law.

Noting Hong Kong one of the freest and most open economies in the world, Premier Wen said Hong Kong has a "fully-fledged" legal system, "very favourable" business environment and extensive connections with the world market, and a large number of professionals who are familiar with the international economy.

He stressed these assets are favorable factors contributing to Hong Kong's development and have played an "important and irreplaceable" role in boosting the Mainland's development.

"I believe that with the implementation of the mainland's next five-year economic and social development plan for 2006-2010, the role of these favorable factors will be brought into full play," Premier Wen said.

hkskyline

March 16th, 2006, 05:44 AM

Experts call for push on 'green' tourism
8 March 2006
South China Morning Post

The government and private sector need to broaden and diversify Hong Kong's attractions to embrace "green" tourism as part of an overall strategy to promote sustainable tourism, industry experts said yesterday.

Addressing a tourism conference, they said the city's enduring image among overseas visitors as a shopping and dining destination was outdated.

They said mainstream tourism promotion often overlooked the fact that about 40 per cent of Hong Kong was covered in country parks, and failed to capitalise on the 30 per cent annual growth in nature-based tourism overseas.

"We need to capitalise on Hong Kong's uniqueness, especially our living culture, like the harbour, Chinese cuisine and dai pai dong," John Ap, the Polytechnic University's associate professor of hotel and tourism management, told the EnviroSeries Conference on Discovering Green and Heritage Tourism.

Lawmaker Howard Young, who represents the tourism sector, said long-term planning and development, environmental and cultural conservation as well as greater co-operation among the government, businesses and the community were integral to sustainable tourism.

"As for who will take the role to maintain the sustainability of our tourism, the government needs to bear the main responsibility. But, as tourism is a series of interrelated activities, the community and the trade also have a part to play in a co-ordinated effort," Mr Young said.

Clara Chong Ming-wah, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said that the 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign seeks to address this by packaging the city's new and existing attractions with a view to promoting local culture and heritage.

"The challenge for the future will be in balancing the needs of economic growth and conservation in the face of continual increases in visitor arrivals and the constant pressure on resources," she said.

The board initiated an Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy for the travel trade almost six years ago.

Central to the 2006 campaign is the Hong Kong Wetland Park, the Culture and Heritage Celebration and Lantau Island's Ngong Ping 360, which comprises the cable car service and a Buddhist-themed tourism facility.

hkskyline

March 17th, 2006, 07:01 AM

39pc profit surge for hotel group
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, March 17, 2006

The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, owner of the Peninsula group, said its 2005 profits shot ahead, nourished by robust improvements in its hotel division.

Excluding non-operating items such as investment property revaluation and property sales, the company's profits increased by 39 percent to HK$688 million. Total turnover was HK$3.3 billion last year, up 5 percent from a year earlier.

Driving the profit growth, the hotel division's revenue per available room for its eight hotels increased by 17 percent. Room occupancy at the flagship Hong Kong Peninsula Hotel was 79 percent, at an average room rate of HK$2,872, compared to 77 percent and HK$2,659 a year ago.

Clement Kwok, the group's chief executive, said room rates still have room to grow because they have not yet reached the "peak level of 1997." Rooms at the Peninsula in Tsim Sha Tsui then reached an average of HK$3,472.

Kwok was also optimistic about support from long-haul visitors and noted that forward bookings for the Peninsula Hong Kong are strong, with no cancellations because of avian flu so far. He said the company has a contingency plan in case of an outbreak.

Its Peak Tower will open in the middle of the year and Kwok expects its rental revenue per square foot will increase by 30 percent.

Further down the line, the company, controlled by the Kadoorie family, plans to build two hotels, one in Shanghai and the other in Tokyo. It hopes to start construction on the Shanghai project before the end of the year, after gaining design approval.

Overall, the company's net profit last year was down 4 percent to HK$2.7 billion, mostly because the HK$1 billion earned from investment properties was much lower than 2004's HK$2.8 billion gain driven by new accounting standards.

A HK$1.2 billion one-off gain from the disposal of the Kowloon Hotel and a HK$60 million gain from land in Phuket helped reduce the company's net gearing ratio to 13 percent at the end of last year, from 26 percent a year earlier.

hkskyline

March 25th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Hong Kong visitor arrivals jump 10.9 pct in Feb

HONG KONG, March 24 (Reuters) - Visitor arrivals in Hong Kong rose 10.9 percent in February from a year earlier, with nearly 60 percent of all tourists coming from mainland China, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Friday.

Total spending associated with inbound tourism in 2005 grew by 14.1 percent year on year to a new high of HK$105.66 billion ($13.62 billion), it also said in a statement.

The board said that about 1.93 million people visited Hong Kong in February. Some 1.14 million visitors were from the mainland, up 9.6 percent from the year-earlier period, it said.

February arrivals from Taiwan fell by 2.9 percent in February, compared with the same month last year, it said. But South and Southeast Asian arrivals were up 14.6 percent to 152,886, it said.

Visitor arrivals from Europe, Africa and the Middle East grew 35.5 percent, while arrivals from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific grew by 24 percent, it said.

The average hotel occupancy rate in February rose nine percentage points from the previous year to 86 percent. The average room rate across all hotel categories and districts increased 17.4 percent to HK$938. (US$=HK$7.8)

hkskyline

April 1st, 2006, 05:35 AM

Green group fears for seas in current tourism focus
Wendy Leung
29 March 2006
Hong Kong Standard

A leading green group has complained the government is neglecting the marine environment and jeopardizing ecotourism in Hong Kong because it's focusing on other tourism projects.

"The government is not really listening to us, because of political difficulties and spending money," WWF chairman Markus Shaw said.

Shaw called it "ironic" that the government spent HK$520 million in construction costs plus HK$60 million in maintenance for the Wetland Park and also offered HK$1.38 billion for the redevelopment plans of Ocean Park.

"The government is not short of money. Ocean Park showcases marine life, bringing in polar bears and killer whales from far away. We want to create the real Ocean Park," Shaw said.

WWF will launch a study to look at the economic and social benefits of its Save Our Sea proposal which it made last year.

The proposal aims to enlarge the no-catch zone, where commercial fishing is banned, from the 2 percent of SAR territorial waters suggested by the government to 9.8 percent by 2007.

The study will look into the cause and effect of the establishment of no- take zone in Tolo Harbour and Port Shelter in the northeastern New Territories and all marine parks, in terms of fish stocks and eco-tourism revenue,

The WWF also hopes that by 2016, up to 30 percent of SAR waters will be designated a no-catch zone. The study will be finished by August.

"I know the government is afraid of fishermen's demonstrations. But I think some of them already understand the benefit of our proposal," Shaw said.

Under the proposal, the government would help replenish the fisheries, compensate the fishing industry and create a real underwater paradise, claimed Shaw.

The group met 70 fishermen Tuesday and has already been in contact with two fishmen's groups, Hong Kong Fishermen Alliance and Joint Committee of Hong Kong Fishermen.

Shaw said the group has been trying to make the local fishermen understand the industry will collapse if the current situation is not rectified.

An Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department spokesman said there has been ongoing consultation with concerned parties about the proposal, including the fisheries working management group, representatives from the fishing community, green groups, academics and relevant government departments since June.

"Any relevant information and opinion from the stakeholders on the proposal are welcome," he said.

hkskyline

April 6th, 2006, 06:42 AM

Tourism resurgence boosts Shangri-La profit by 33pc
Zach Coleman
5 April 2006
Hong Kong Standard

The performance of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts' flagship properties in Hong Kong finally crested its pre-handover peak, boosted by the flood of visitors.

While announcing the 2005 results for the region's largest luxury hotel and resort chain Tuesday, chief executive and managing director Giovanni Angelini revealed that average room rates at the Island Shangri-La in Admiralty reached US$340 (HK$2,652) in the first quarter, when the the hotel filled 85 percent of available rooms.

The rate for Kowloon Shangri-La in Tsim Sha Tsui reached US$250 on 82 percent occupancy.

``We expect those room rates to increase another 6-8 percent this year,'' Angelini said.

Since 1997, Hong Kong hoteliers have been staggered by blows from the first bird flu outbreak, the Asian financial crisis and SARS, but tourism has rebounded strongly the past 18 months.

Boosted by big gains in its Hong Kong and Fiji operations in 2005, Hong Kong-listed Shangri-La Asia _ which owns the two SAR hotels and most others managed by its Shangri-La Hotels subsidiary _ reported a 33 percent rise in net profits to US$151 million for the year. The gain fell slightly shy of the US$152.5 million consensus estimate of analysts surveyed by IBES.

Revenues at the company rose 16 percent to US$842 million. For the year, Shangri-La, controlled by the family of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, filled 73 percent of the 23,000 rooms in its 36 owned hotels, two percentage points more than in 2004.

Average daily room rates rose more strongly, increasing US$15 to US$117. Revenue per available room rose in every market, though occupancy declined slightly in a few places.

The two Hong Kong hotels filled 76 percent of rooms at an average rate of US$248,compared with 71 percent in 2004 at an average US$207.

For the first quarter, Angelini _ also a Shangri-La Asia director _ said room rates at the Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai, the company's top mainland property, are also rising fast, up 18 percent to US$22. He expects rates at the company's mainland hotels to rise 20 percent in 2006, beating last year's 13 percent gain.

Talks to clear the way for construction of a second Shangri-La in Shanghai's Pudong district, as part of a US$489 million development led by parent Kerry Properties, are nearly complete and construction should start soon, he said.

Shangri-La Asia's income tax paid quadrupled last year, related largely to the improved performance of associate companies.

Angelini said early results from the group's move into the spa business are encouraging. The group has equipped three of its hotels so far and plans to add 15-16 more spas in the next three years.

``They are doing very well, making good money, more money than the rooms,'' Angelini said.

hkskyline

April 7th, 2006, 06:05 PM

China Union Pay card users spend 6.7 billion yuan in HK
3 April 2006
Xinhua

Visitors from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have spent 6.77 billion yuan (US$850 million) using the bank cards, since the renminbi (RMB) currency service was launched in HKSAR two years ago.

The mainland bank card payment system run by China Union Pay inked a memorandum on strategic cooperation with the Hong Kong Tourism Board in Shanghai last Wednesday, pledging further cooperation by launching credit card coupon promotions and special VIP services for mainland travelers shopping in HK.

Holders of Chinese currency Union Pay banking cards can pay for their shopping, dining, travel and medical bills and extract cash in local currency linked with China Union Pay's card network.

By the end of last year there were 2,430 ATM machines and 27,000 business outlets in Hong Kong that recognized the China Union Pay cards.

The Chinese mainland has become a pivotal tourist source market for Hong Kong with more than 12.5 million visits to Hong Kong recorded last year.

China Union Pay, currently the largest bank card network in China with 815 million cardholders, has all its service been expanded to Macao, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and five European countries.

hkskyline

April 10th, 2006, 05:14 AM

門僮允的士打尖收小費超出上限
酒店貪污十大陷阱
10/04/2006
太陽報

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060410/img/a80410_big.jpg

【專案組記者許鎮邦報道】酒店業近年發展興旺，但當中隱含不少貪污陷阱，由最常見的「炒房」，以至員工收取小費，甚至是門僮代客人召喚的士，都可能觸犯《防止賄賂條例》。廉署去年接獲二十七宗涉及酒店的貪污舉報，平均每月超過兩宗，為免兩萬八千名從業員「誤踩地雷」，廉署本月初向近百間酒店推出防貪指引，提醒業內員工。

本港自○三年開放個人遊後，廉署接獲有關酒店的貪污舉報明顯增加，由○三年只有十五宗，激增至○四年及去年各有二十七宗，而可追查個案亦由○三年的十二宗，逐步攀升至去年有二十五宗，升幅超過一倍。

廉署防止貪污處私營機構顧問組組長麥吳韻儀指出，常見的貪污手法，包括採購人員收受回佣以偏袒某供應商，或維修承建商提供利益以獲得合約等。廉署去年曾偵破一宗案件，有酒店門僮收受的士司機利益後，便通知司機「插隊」接載長途客人，結果兩人最終被控貪污罪成，雙雙淪為階下囚。

隨迪士尼樂園開幕，本港的酒店房間在旺季變得分外搶手，貪污風險亦大增，廉署不時接獲有旅行社因「不到房」而舉報。香港酒店業協會執行總幹事呂尚懷承認，行內有「炒房」現象，主要是旅行社取得房間後，以高價售予客人賺取差額，部分酒店員工甚至自行在外成立旅行社，將房間價錢推高牟利，但有關手法不算貪污，酒店只能透過終止合作關係去杜絕。

廉署制訂防貪指引
收小費是酒店業員工的普遍做法，但必須先獲得僱主同意。酒店一般會為小費銀碼設定上限，例如執房是二十元一日、開車門是二十元一次等，當銀碼超過有關上限，員工便要向上級報告，由上級決定是否准許他們袋袋平安。呂尚懷舉例稱，客人欣賞一名女員工的服務，特別送她名牌手袋，女員工如無通知僱主，同樣有機會誤墮法網。

廉署防止貪污處私營機構顧問組經過一年時間，制訂該份酒店業防貪指引，指引在本月初推出，初步印製一千份，先分發到酒店業協會轄下九十六間酒店，並會提供指引的電腦檔案予酒店主管級人員參考。

hkskyline

April 20th, 2006, 04:22 AM

六市「五一」可個人遊
20/04/2006

【本報訊】國務院總理溫家寶早前應特首曾蔭權的要求，決定加開多個城市，讓居民辦理個人遊前往港澳地區旅遊。公安部出入境管理昨日正式表示，由下月一日，即五．一黃金周開始，將有多六個城市的居民可透過個人遊前往港澳，該六個城市分別為江西省南昌市、湖南省長沙市、廣西壯族自治區南寧市、海南省海口市、貴州省貴陽市及雲南省昆明市。http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

hkskyline

April 20th, 2006, 05:47 PM

Colorful past hits town in tourism bid
Hong Kong Standard
Andrea Chiu
Thursday, April 20, 2006

The Tourism Board is taking no chances with the strong growth in visitor arrivals amid uncertainty linked to high fuel costs and avian flu by charging ahead with an 18-day celebration of Hong Kong's cultural and heritage attractions starting today.
Lambert Chan, general manager of destination marketing, said: "The event is meant to showcase Hong Kong as more than a food and shopping paradise."

Costing between HK$8 million and HK$9 million, the territory-wide festival is intended to help tourists sample the SAR's more authentic culture.

Replicas of the outlying islands' most popular attractions are set up at the Central ferry piers.

These includes a more life-sized version of the Big Buddha statue and a 50-meter-high copy of a Cheung Chau bun tower made with 6,000 buns. As well, two fa pau towers decorated with floral paper offerings mark the elaborate "Temple Fair" display by the water.

Chan said the replicas are meant to draw visitors to the islands.

The board will provide eight different tours, with guides adept in English, Putonghua or Japanese taking visitors to places such as Lantau to see the Big Buddha or Cheung Chau for the bun festival early next month.

Those who wish to stay on Hong Kong Island can participate in a bun- making or Chinese cake-making workshop with Kwok Kan Kee Cakes and Wing Wah Cake Shop.

There will also be daily performances at the pier by acrobats, tai chi practitioners and opera singers.

"April and May is the high season for Hong Kong arrivals," Chan said. "At this time of the year, Hong Kong has about 500,000 visitors a week."

Last year, the board surpassed its target with 23 million visitors, a 7.1 percent rise from 2004. This year - which it has dubbed "Discover Hong Kong Year" - it is aiming for 27 million.

Executive director Clara Chong Ming-wah said there are potential setbacks on the horizon but she remains positive.

"Although our tourism industry still faces several major uncertainties such as the threat of terrorism, high fuel costs and the spread of avian flu, any of which may force us to revise our plans, we have set ourselves the aggressive target of 27 million visitors in 2006. Hong Kong's robust arrivals growth in January and February marked a strong start to the year," she said.

hkskyline

April 28th, 2006, 01:47 AM

May Day arrivals expected to drop
Wendy Leung
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, April 28, 2006

The government and Tourism Board have estimated that fewer than half a million mainlanders will visit Hong Kong during the May Day holiday week starting tomorrow.

Officials put the reduced expectations down to the fact that the Lunar New Year celebrations lasted into late February while mainland students are now preparing for mid-year exams.

However, Hong Kong Tourism Board director Becky Ip Chin-tak said Thursday that instead of large influxes of tourists at certain dates, the board's current strategy is to create more "Golden Weeks" to entice mainlanders to cross the border more frequently.

"For example, many women on the mainland take time off on International Women's Day so we should aim special travel packages at them during that time," Ip said.

The board estimates that only around 420,000 mainlanders can be expected during the coming Golden Week, with about 60 percent traveling on individual permits and about 10 percent in tour groups.

Individual visitors last year spent an average of around HK$1,600 a day, about double that spent by each member of a tour group, according to Ip. "The more affluent tourists come on more personalized tours," she added.

In the past, mainlanders usually spent their holidays visiting The Peak and Ocean Park, but they now have more choices such as Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360, the Big Buddha on Lantau and seafood trips to Lamma Island, Ip said.

More than 70 percent of the individual visitors come from Guangdong province.

"So, we are now promoting one day return tours to people in Guangdong province. It's cheaper than trips to Southeast Asian countries and this means they can also travel more frequently," Ip said.

One-day trips are becoming the norm, with one-third of all mainland visitors last year spending only a day in Hong Kong, Ip said.

The central government recently extended its individual travel permits to more cities.

The scheme, which began in 2002 with 19 cities, mainly in Guangdong province, has now been extended to 81 cities with a combined population of more than 500 million, according to board figures.

While Hong Kong remains the most popular choice, more and more mainlanders are traveling to Macau, Thailand, Singapore, Korea and Australia, Ip said.

"So, we have to continue to promote Hong Kong on the mainland and provide them with the most updated travel information and tourist spots."

hkskyline

April 28th, 2006, 06:09 AM

黃金周明開始增景點出新招
兩主題公園肉搏爭客
28/04/2006
太陽報

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060428/img/sn04042803_big.jpg

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明日開始踏入五．一黃金周長假期，本港兩大主題公園均會延長開放時間迎接內地旅客。海洋公園將會增設二十一個臨時景點以分散旅客，並會在各景點擺放等候時間顯示牌。迪士尼樂園則會將部分表演加上簡體字字幕，及在園內擺放以黃金周為主題的事物和推出黃金周的特別菜式及精品吸引內地旅客。

香港迪士尼樂園由本月三十日（星期日）至下月五日延長開放時間，由上午九時半至晚上九時，並表示凡於本月三十日至下月六日期間到迪士尼樂園的旅客，只可使用指定日子入場券，而任何人士如計劃於上述特別日子暢遊樂園，需預先訂購特別日子門票。另外，在黃金周期間進入樂園的旅客，更可率先欣賞米奇老鼠及米妮老鼠穿上專為黃金周而設計的服飾，他們會於黃金周內每天兩次迪士尼巡遊表演中和旅客見面，表演時間分別為下午一時及下午三時半。

邀的士司機免費遊園
樂園行政總裁安明智表示，為了讓賓客得到更奇妙的樂園體驗，樂園會於幻想世界、明日世界及探險世界設置款待處，並準備英文、簡體及繁體中文的「奇妙小錦囊」，冊子內印有迪士尼朋友精美圖案，及為賓客提供各項在樂園遊玩提示；黃金周期間，米奇金獎音樂劇及獅子王慶典亦會加上簡體字字幕，方便內地旅客欣賞。

另外，迪士尼本月中向全港最少四十個的士聯會發邀請信，在五月十五日至六月十一日期間，的士司機可免費入園遊玩，不限周六、周日及公眾假期，但司機需透過的士會預先在四月底前報名，登記名字、入園日期及的士駕駛執照號碼等，每個的士聯會每日有五十名司機及一百五十名親友名額。

至於海洋公園在黃金周期間亦會延長園區開放時間，由本月三十日至下月七日，海洋公園會於早上九時半至晚上七時開放，而因為可能有大量內地旅客入園遊覽，園方在現有景點之外更增設二十一個臨時景點，希望可以分散人流。

hkskyline

April 29th, 2006, 05:51 PM

Hong Kong visitor arrivals jump 14.8 pct in March

HONG KONG, April 28 (Reuters) - Visitor arrivals in Hong Kong rose 14.8 percent in March from a year earlier, with more than half of all tourists coming from mainland China, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Friday.

The board said that about 2.1 million people had visited Hong Kong in March, taking the cumulative total for the first three months above 6.2 million, a 13.8 percent increase from the same period in 2005.

Almost 1.13 million of the visitors in March were from the mainland, up 20.7 percent from a year earlier, it said.

North Asian arrivals rose by 15 percent to 176,676, while South and Southeast Asian arrivals were up 10.3 percent at 221,975. The number of Taiwan visitors increased by 7.5 percent.

Visitor arrivals grew 9.2 percent from Europe, Africa and the Middle East, 4 percent from the Americas and 3 percent from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The average hotel occupancy rate in March rose six percentage points from the previous year to 91 percent. The average room rate across all hotel categories and districts increased 14.8 percent to HK$1,113. (US$=HK$7.8)

hkskyline

May 2nd, 2006, 06:39 AM

Tourism plans will destroy heritage: residents
1 May 2006
South China Morning Post

More developments are being planned in Tai O to promote tourism, but some residents and a green group criticised the construction as excessive.

The government is planning to build an entrance plaza near the Lantau fishing village and a new bus terminus nearby.

A new waterfront promenade and a recreational park are also proposed near Tai O Creek, with a large car park next to it. The government would also reserve a site nearby for a private museum to showcase the village's culture and history. A footbridge will be built across the creek.

Wong Wai-king, a member of the Tai O Cultural Workshop, said these structures could further undermine the village's heritage.

"These are all excessive," she said. "There is already a footbridge there and I do not understand why we need another one."

Ng Cho-nam, of the Conservancy Association, said: "Why do we need so many promenades in a fishing village?

"What the government should have done is clear up the rubbish in the water. But such a project is not grand enough for the officials.

"There are apparently not enough public works for construction workers.

"The government is under pressure to build something," he said. The Planning Department said the facilities were needed because of the increase in tourists expected on Lantau after the Tung Chung cable car was launched later this year.

A spokeswoman said it had presented the proposal to the Tai O rural committee and the Island District Council in December and had received their support.

She said residents were now being consulted and the Civil Engineering and Development Department was conducting preparatory work for a feasibility study. The project cost and completion date had not yet been finalised.

hkskyline

May 22nd, 2006, 04:04 PM

Tourism that works both ways
Doug Crets
2 May 2006
Hong Kong Standard

On a typical day, the trail through the Hoi Ha Wan marine reserve is littered with soda cans, tissues, hats and pipes.

A sign on the trail coming into Hoi Ha Wan village reminds visitors to respect the villagers, but there is no sign for travelers heading toward the beach urging them to take care of the marine environment, one of the unique water spots in the New Territories.

It is the kind of thing that sustainable tourism advocates say is emblematic of the planning and infrastructure missing from Hong Kong's country parks, a potential gold mine for low-impact green tourism.

More than 12 million visitors trekked into Hong Kong's country parks last year, two million more than in the early 1990s.

And with projections that tourist numbers to Hong Kong will rise to between 50 million and 70 million by 2020, conservationists and nature- lovers wonder if the territory is overlooking a new way to create revenue in a city saturated with mass tourism offerings, such as shopping and Disneyland.

No studies have ever been carried out in Hong Kong to understand "carrying capacity,'' or the environment's capacity to survive visits by tourists.

That is because in Hong Kong the topic is not sexy to scientists and has not been important, says World Wildlife Fund director Andy Cornish.

"I guess it's not considered to be cutting edge enough for people to be interested in it,'' he says.

But understanding the carrying capacity of remote villages and country parks can potentially save those areas for the future and foster the development of high quality sustainable tourism destinations.

There are only a few groups which see the potential.

"There are a group of individuals who are committed to do these things,'' says Eric Lee Chung-ming, who helped Macau's Historic Centre secure World Heritage Site status from Unesco.

Only 50 years ago, 16 villages existed on the east coast of Sai Kung, according to government studies.

Now they are almost all devoid of activity.

Luk Wu and Po Kwu Wan remain vacant. Long Ke is a drug rehabilitation center. Lan Nai Wan sits beneath the water of High Island Reservoir.

And the oldest settlements only have a few residents who sometimes offer food and lodging to a very small number of tourists.

But not too far from Sai Kung sits tiny overgrown Yim Tin Tsai Island. It is the site of St Joseph's chapel, built more than 150 years ago by Catholic missionaries.

"It's a classic example of how to connect an ecological site with cultural heritage,'' Lee says.

Conservationists consider Yim Tin Tsai a starting point for a solution to carrying capacity - a problem that will plague country parks and tourist sites for years.

But two things stand in the way: The main market is still unsure about these kinds of alternatives to tourism; and Hong Kong is still plugging away at gathering income from the mainland tourism market.

"We all have a tendency to work on the things that are easiest to do,'' says Andrew Thomson, chief executive of the Business Environment Council, a nonprofit group that tries to shape changes in government policy and business procedures through building networks among government, citizens and nongovernment organizations.

"The difficulty faced by businesses or institutions when working in newer areas [is that] there is basically a lot of uncertainty,'' Thomson says.

Invest HK, the government's investment promotion agency, for example, has a tourism and entertainment section. But it is focused on bringing tourist agencies to the city and does not focus on generating sustainable tourism, the agency said.

And neither does the government, in general. "The mass capacities of the large-scale initiatives supplement more delicate attractions such as the relatively untapped natural areas in the northern New Territories to ensure that we meet visitors' increasing demand for green tourism without burdening our natural environment,'' a Tourism Commission spokesman says.

But what is that market? Mainland tourism, which is more inclined to go shopping, stays in second-tier hotels and visits big attractions like Disneyland and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car installation.

A majority of the "inbound tourism'' that generated HK$100 billion last year comes from the mainland.

The government looks for the obvious in developing tourism facilities because the profit "path'' is easier to see, Thomson says.

"Hong Kong Inc, if you like, can invest HK$1 billion. It's easier to do that when you have a large-scale investment,'' he says.

The government invested HK$23 million in the Sai Kung waterfront, which contains no ecological element, though it rests right next to Sai Kung country park.

On any given weekend, thousands of locals and tourists overcrowd the area, buying hawked food or fresh sea catch or eating at restaurants.

But there is no green tourism facility, nor is there any beachfront. That is further up the road in Tai Wan.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises, the likely instigators for this kind of eco-tourism, are not powerful enough brokers to change the government's focus.

"When dealing with smaller projects, the returns aren't always direct,'' Thomson says.

"They're not that easily contactable, generally, because maybe they don't have the same systems or infrastructure that large enterprises do.''

With 80 percent to 90 percent of firms in the service industry operating as SMEs, only 500 companies are related to the tourism industry, Thomson says.

To counteract this, the government's Council for Sustainable Development started a HK$100 million fund in 2003 to promote a sustainable eco-tourism mind-set. But so far, the funds this year have not gone to actual infrastructure building.

Aside from two awards in the hundreds of thousands dollars available for conferences about sustainable development, it gave one award for a dramatic interpretation of natural living, the closest thing on the list to eco-tourism.

The drama, Seven Days in the Mountain, by James Yeung, was awarded HK$250,000 to run in public for 14 months.

hkskyline

May 23rd, 2006, 05:57 PM

Holiday visits up, but fall short of forecasts
9 May 2006
South China Morning Post

The Labour Day "golden week" saw the arrival of 387,615 mainland visitors to Hong Kong in the nine days to Sunday, the Immigration Department said.

This was an increase of almost 5.2 per cent on the same period last year, which saw 368,465 mainland arrivals.

The year-on-year increase in 2005 was 3.82 per cent from a year earlier.

A total of 354,904 mainlanders visited Hong Kong in 2004, the first full year that mainlanders could come as individual travellers under a scheme which was introduced in mid-July 2003, following the Sars outbreak.

The government had forecast about 420,000 mainland visitors over the 10-day period, although the final tally is considered likely to fall short given that many would have been due to return to work yesterday.

The Immigration Department figures also show that much of the mainland tourist influx was concentrated on the holiday's opening weekend last year, while more mainlanders arrived over the weekdays this year.

A Hong Kong Tourism Board spokeswoman said that with more mainland cities being allocated to join the individual-visit scheme, it was no longer necessary for mainlanders to plan trips to Hong Kong around the year's peak travelling periods.

"This may be a good thing as Hong Kong might not be able to cater to the influx of mainland tourists if everyone arrived around the 'golden week' holidays," the spokeswoman added.

Hong Kong Hotels Association executive director James Lu Shien-kwai said some mainlanders might opt to take holidays elsewhere, or during off-peak periods, fearing peak-time overcrowding.

He said that Japan's "golden week" this month coincided with the mainland's holiday and that Japanese arrivals to the city had been "healthy".

hkskyline

May 26th, 2006, 07:30 PM

Tourists put shine in hotel sector Meanwhile, developers are rueing a missed opportunity to convert old industrial buildings into budget accommodation
24 May 2006
South China Morning Post

Hotel operators are smiling as room rates soar to their highest level in seven years. But their exultant mood is not shared by a group of developers who missed their chance to build budget hotels and cash in on the resurgence in tourism.

Some three or four years ago, developers such as Henderson Land Development, Sun Hung Kai Properties and Wharf (Holdings) were keen to convert underutilised industrial buildings in areas such as Wong Chuk Hang and Kwun Tong into budget hotels.

But all these projects were suspended during a lull in the tourist market, and now that opportunity has been lost.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong hotel room rates grew 16.4 per cent last year. The average hotel room rate was $934 per room a night, and increased to $1,027 in the first quarter this year, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

The occupancy rate at all hotels - luxury to budget - was 87 per cent in the first three months of this year, a slight increase from 86 per cent last year.

UBS hotel analyst Eric Wong said the supply of hotel rooms was tight and most luxury hotel operators - such as Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (which owns and operates the Peninsula), Shangri-La Asia and Mandarin Oriental International - had achieved margins of more than 30 per cent in operating profits, the highest they have achieved since 1997.

Budget hotel operator Far East Consortium International said occupancy at all seven of its hotels was more than 90 per cent in April and early this month.

Deputy chairman David Chiu Tat-cheong said the company charged $500 a night at its three-star hotels and $1,000 a night at its four-star hotels.

Mr Wong of UBS expected hotel room rates to continue to rise in the absence of fresh supply coming on the market.

"The Hong Kong hotel sector is going to witness demand outstripping supply by 1.3 times," he said.

Analysts expected the tourist influx to exceed hotel growth. The Tourism Board expected tourist arrivals to edge up 16 per cent to 27 million this year, 58 per cent of them from the mainland.

The board has estimated a presence of 132 hotels or 51,110 rooms this year, up 16.5 per cent from last year.

One reason for the unequal demand and supply was that several developers had dropped their plans for hotel conversion last year, analysts said. Henderson Land Development, Sun Hung Kai Properties, Wharf (Holdings) and others decided to put these plans on hold in October last year, a month after the Disneyland theme park opened.

Visitor arrivals had shown a lacklustre 7.1 per cent growth in 2005, while growth the year before had been 40.4 per cent, with 21.81 million visitors. This was after the near total collapse of the tourist trade in 2003 during the Sars outbreak.

Developers also complained that the government was asking for unreasonably high land premiums, thus making redevelopment initiatives commercially unviable.

Henderson Land Development had impressive plans to convert 10 industrial sites into budget hotel developments, with a potential supply of 10,000 rooms.

But years of negotiation with the government on land premiums finally yielded just a single project on How Ming Street, in Kwun Tong.

Tony Tse Wai-chuen, Henderson Land's general manager of sales, said the return on an investment was the main determining factor in any project.

"We were interested in building guesthouses. We didn't want to pay the kind of premiums paid for four- and five-star hotels," he said. "We consider developments with the highest returns."

Returns on a hotel investment averaged 7 per cent to 8 per cent, he said.

Property consultants said land premiums were just one of the factors in the way of budget hotel plans.

Another factor, according to Tony Chan, executive director at Vigers Appraisal and Consulting, was that hotel redevelopment was less attractive than office and industrial market development.

"Hotels are a long-term investment," he said. "The payback period can be as long as 20 years and you have to renovate every four or five years.

"With office space, you recoup your investment by pre-selling. Investors find that a more attractive and flexible option."

hkskyline

May 29th, 2006, 03:33 AM

May 26, 2006
Government Press Release
April visitor arrivals up 9.5%

Tourist arrivals grew to 2,127,254 in April, up 9.5% on the same month last year, the Tourism Board says. The growth was led by 1,109,401 arrivals from the Mainland, 12.4% more than the same month last year.

Growth in the first four months brought total arrivals to more than 8.3 million, up 12.7% on last year. Of the April arrivals, 59.7% were classified as overnight visitors while the remaining 40.3% were same-day arrivals.

The board said the growth in Mainland arrivals reflected Hong Kong's enduring appeal in this market as a destination both for long and short vacation travel and short-stay consumption visits.

Of the 1.1 million Mainland arrivials, 476,000, or 43%, travelled to Hong Kong under the Individual Visit Scheme, 18.3% more than last year.

The majority of Hong Kong's regional markets also showed increases. The best-performing regional markets were Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific, with 15.3% growth, and South & Southeast Asia, from which visitor numbers grew 9%.

Some 59.7% of all visitors to Hong Kong in April stayed in the city for at least one night, compared with 59.8% in the same month last year. The remaining 40.3% same-day in-town visitors either returned home or left for another destination on the same day as arrival.

Hotel occupancy across all categories of hotels and tourist guesthouses in April was 86%, identical to the 2005 figure.

hkskyline

May 31st, 2006, 10:23 PM

Hotel room rates to be checked
29 May 2006
Hong Kong Standard

The government is in discussions with Hong Kong hotel and travel organizations to enhance transparency in information regarding hotel bookings, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip Shu-kwan said.

The move is aimed at averting criticism of higher room rates, which may impact on the travel industry.

``Hotel room rates are market driven, but it's essential to discuss with the industry an increase in transparency on the number of hotel rooms available during peak seasons and their higher room rate charges,'' Ip told Sing Tao Daily in an interview.

The Tourism Commission is in discussions with the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong and the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners on the issue.

Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners executive director Michael Li Hon-shing said a meeting was held last Friday.

``Suggestions that were put forward include requiring hotels to provide information regarding the number of rooms left through their Web sites so as to let visitors know the room supply situation,'' he said.

``The hotel industry and travel agents will enhance their communication about the situation of prospective travelers joining Hong Kong tours in order to set room rates during peak seasons,'' said TIC executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung.

During the Labor Day Golden Week peak travel period early this month, the number of visitors reached more than 726,000, an increase of 7.5 percent compared with the corresponding period last year.

While the number of mainland visitors climbed by 6 percent during the week, overall visitor numbers still fell short of forecasts by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

``Although the impact of Golden Week is fading gradually, visitors' figures have gone up, Ip said.

``The industry should not rely too heavily on the mainland tourist market nor focus on some seasons,'' he added.

Sing Tao Daily is a sister publication of The Standard.

hkskyline

June 5th, 2006, 09:45 PM

Poor tourist showing for Sha Tin dragon boat races
5 June 2006
South China Morning Post

Low tourist numbers and poor facilities overshadowed the last day of the International Dragon Boat Races at Sha Tin yesterday.

Although the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association organised free buses to take tourists from their Tsim Sha Tsui hotels to the venue, many lining the Shing Mun River yesterday were local paddlers with their relatives and friends.

The association said 3,600 paddlers attended the races, which began on Saturday. More than 100 local teams and 14 international teams participated. But no stands or seats were provided for spectators. Mrs Tam from Tuen Mun perched her two young daughters on the cement barrier by the river. "I know it's dangerous, but where else can I put them so they can watch the races," she said. "Now I don't know if I should keep an eye on the boats or my daughters."

Pang Chi-hui, honorary chairman of this year's organising committee, said limitations at the venue made it difficult to make suitable arrangements for spectators and competitors.

Association president Mike Chung Chi-hong, who is leader of the Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung Fisherman Association team, said this year's races were the worst in years in terms of atmosphere and the arrangements. "The river is excellent for paddling but I can't feel the vibe of the festivities. No one is excited besides the paddlers," he said.

Mr Pang said he understood the competitors' concerns but "nothing can be perfect". He complained the Tourism Board, which provided $200,000 in sponsorship this year, should offer more assistance.

Foreign competitors appeared to appreciate the races more. Kat Buot from the Philippines, who was participating for the first time, said the arrangements and the venue were excellent. "It's much better than what we have in the Philippines," she said.

Teams from Nanhai , Guangdong, were the big winners yesterday, snatching gold in the two top races - the Golden Wheel Cup International Championships and the International Women's Championships.

hkskyline

June 11th, 2006, 10:50 PM

Kerry leads race to acquire $500m Western hotel
Raymond Wang
8 June 2006
Hong Kong Standard

Novotel Century Harbourview in Western will be sold to a developer for about HK$500 million amid sustained demand for hotels in Hong Kong, sources said.

The four-star hotel has attracted keen interest from local developers and overseas investors but Hong Kong- listed Kerry Properties is the front- runner, Sing Tao Daily reported Wednesday.

Kerry made the highest offer of more than HK$1.8 million per room, sources said. Neither Kerry nor the owner, Hong Kong-listed Hsin Chong Construction Group and related parties, were available for comment.

Kerry Properties, controlled by the family of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, made its foray into Western district last year by winning the right to develop an estimated HK$2.5 billion urban renewal housing project. Located at the junction of First Street and Second Street, it will be near a station on the MTR's planned West Island Line, which is expected to open in three or four years. Opened in May 1999, the 276-room Novotel Century Harbourview is at 508 Queens Road West, and lies close to Western Harbour Tunnel.

The 28-story hotel has a gross floor area of about 125,000 square feet. Current occupancy rate figures were not provided by the hotel.

Demand for hotel rooms in Hong Kong remains robust, helped by an increasing number of overseas and mainland travelers, analysts said.

Immigration Department figures show that 359,963 mainlanders visited Hong Kong during the Labor Day Golden Week early last month, representing an increase of 3.5 percent compared with 347,718 visitors in the same period last year. Total arrivals, including mainlanders, increased 2.5 percent to 2.18 million.

In recent years, four-star hotel transactions have included Kowloon Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, sold by Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels early last year for HK$1.93 billion to a 50-50 venture comprising Cheung Kong (Holdings) and Hutchison Whampoa.

hkskyline

June 23rd, 2006, 04:42 PM

Experience the activity of Hong Kong
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/cityguides/hongkong/worthdoing.htm?csp=34

Hong Kong is a place of contrasts — geographically, socially and economically. Although many Asian cities claim to be where East meets West, the former British Crown Colony, whose largely Chinese population was ruled by Europeans for 156 years, is probably the closest the world comes to the genuine article.
Perched precariously on the edge of China, Hong Kong has been battered by geopolitical forces for centuries. Thanks to its strategic deepwater harbor and proximity to Asia's most populous nation, the city profited as the capitalist gateway for the communist giant to the north. What was once a fishing village became one of the world's busiest international ports and business centers.

Scratch the cosmopolitan, high-tech surface, however, and you'll discover an old China lying just below the city's modern urban facade and, in some cases, right alongside it. Residents invariably live in two worlds: Skyscrapers and enormous shopping malls sit next to narrow alleys crowded with traditional vendors' stalls. Businesspeople use cell phones to consult fortune-tellers before making important decisions. Taoist priests exorcise evil spirits from buildings, even from the city's racecourses. In sleepy walled villages, farmers tend their crops in the same way they have for generations.

Hong Kong is a city of levels. At the top is Victoria Peak, on Hong Kong Island, from which mansions of the super-rich look out over the high-rise apartments of the merely affluent. Farther down the mountain are alleys and old tenements dotted with colorful balcony gardens. Living on the water itself are Hong Kong's boat people — fishing families who spend most of their lives on their boats. Across the water on the mainland are Kowloon and the suburban New Territories, which were once Hong Kong's vegetable garden.

Although the popular image of Hong Kong is a place where every square inch of land is crammed with high-rise apartments and office buildings, in reality, 38% of all land in Hong Kong is parkland or undeveloped greenery.

Must-do view — A visit to Victoria Peak (generally referred to as the Peak) is a must-do on any itinerary, offering unrivalled views of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor and Kowloon. The Peak is Hong Kong's most fashionable address — and priciest real estate — where, during the colonial period, taipans (foreign businesspeople) had summer homes to escape the heat below.

The trip up begins with a ride in one of the world's steepest funicular railways. Some say it's best to go in the daytime, while others say the night view is more spectacular. We suggest going up in late afternoon, taking a 40-minute stroll around Lugard Road, watching the sunset and then looking down upon the lights of the city. (Check the weather before you set out. If you can see the top of the mountain before you board the tram, you'll probably have a good view. If it's shrouded in mist, you may want to delay your trip until clearer weather.) The Peak Tower, which offers the best view, has ice-cream shops, a variety of restaurants and souvenir shops.

The Peak Tram starts from St. John's Building on Garden Road. (You can take a free open-topped bus from the Star Ferry pier in Central to the Peak Tram terminal in the Mid-Levels on the Peak.) HK$20 one way and HK$30 round trip for adults. It leaves daily approximately every 10 minutes, 7 a.m.-midnight. Take a seat on the right-hand side. The tram makes several stops along the way. St. John's Building, Garden Rd., Central; 852-849-7654.

A cruise you can use — Almost everyone's favorite memory of Hong Kong is a trip on the Star Ferry. The ferry line plies several routes and is one of the most pleasant ways of getting from Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon Peninsula, especially during the cooler seasons. The main terminals are at Central, Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui. Ferries from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui run every 5-10 minutes 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. and leave Tsim Sha Tsui for Wanchai every 10-20 minutes 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. The fare for the first-class upper deck is HK$2.20; views from the second-class deck aren't as good. Central pier; 852-2367-7065.

Closer to the divine, Hong Kong-style — The Big Buddha on Lantau Island is the world's largest outdoor seated Buddha, built by the Chinese Space Agency and opened officially in 1989. Work up an appetite by climbing 268 steps to the top of the Buddha (110 feet) and later have a vegetarian lunch at the Polin Monastery. Lantau Island (take the ferry from the Outlying Islands piers, Central, to Mui Wo and then board Bus 2 to the monastery).

You will have to climb 431 steps to reach the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas, but the reward is 12,800 statues of Buddha. A mummified holy man embalmed in gold leaf is also on display inside. Daily, all day. Donation requested. Above Sha Tin railway station (go by Kowloon-Canton Railway), 852-2691-1067.

A handsome building, St. John's Cathedral is the oldest Anglican church in East Asia (built in 1849). Daily until 6 p.m. Admission is free, but there are collection boxes for donations to help with upkeep. On Garden Road in Central, 852-2523-4157.

A bit of colonial history — The Legislative Council Building was built in 1903 and is one of the few old colonial buildings left. It was once the Supreme Court. The building is generally open to organized tours (by appointment) and council sessions. Wednesday afternoon it is open to the public. 8 Jackson Rd. (next to Statue Square), Central; 852-2869-9399.

A bit of old China — Kat Hing Wai (also known as Kam Tin Walled Village), is the original 10th-century homestead of the Tang clan, the first of the Cantonese "Five Great Clans" to migrate to the New Territories. The village may be modern inside, but it's still surrounded by a moat and walls with four corner guardhouse towers. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has information centers at the Star Ferry terminals and in The Centre (99 Queen's Rd., Central) that can help you arrange to join a local tour. Contributions to the donations box are expected, as are handouts to the costumed Hakka women, before you can take any photographs. (Begin bidding at HK$10 and hope for the best.) Kam Tin (take the MTR to Tsuen Wan Station, then Bus 51).

Museum mania — The Hong Kong Museum of History offers an historical overview of the city, focusing on pirates, wars, economic growth and hardships, and an excellent collection of local photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Monday and Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday and public holidays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. HK$10 adults. 100 Chatham Rd. S., Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; 852-2724-9042; www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/english/index.html.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum provides a look into the arts and cultural offerings of Hong Kong, with displays ranging from Chinese art to the world of comics to Chinese opera. Monday and Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. HK$10 adults. Free admission Wednesday. 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin (take Kowloon-Canton Railway to Sha Tin or Tai Wai in New Territories; it's a 15-minute walk from the station); 852-2180-8188; www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk.

Lei Cheng Uk Branch Museum is a Han Dynasty tomb dating back some 2,000 years; it's the oldest historical monument in Hong Kong. It also displays artifacts found in the tomb and presents exhibits on the life and culture of the Han Dynasty. Monday-Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 2-6 p.m, Sunday; public holidays 1-6 p.m. Free. 41 Tonkin St., Sham Shui Po, Kowloon; 852-2386-2863; www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/leicheng/English/index.html.

The Hong Kong Science Museum has hands-on exhibits that will interest adults as well as children. The Space Museum also houses a planetarium, which has about seven shows a day (offered in English or with English translations). Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. HK$25 adults, HK$12.50 children. Free Wednesday. Extra charge for some special exhibits. 2 Science Museum Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon; 852-2732-3232; www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Science/indexe.htm.

The Hong Kong Museum of Art, located in the Hong Kong Cultural Center, contains more than 2,000 Chinese antiques. Open Friday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. HK$10 adults. 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; 852-2721-0116; www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkma.

Escape the concrete jungle — With space at a premium, busy Central district has little in the way of public parks. Hong Kong Park is a rare exception, offering a magnificent aviary, a children's playground, ponds, waterfalls, a small amphitheater and an open-air restaurant. 19 Cotton Tree Dr., Central.

About a 10-minute walk west of Hong Kong Park, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens are a welcome change from the noise and crowding in Central. Animal lovers won't be impressed by the zoo, however, which confines orangutans and leopards in small cages. Gardens open daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m., zoo open daily 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Albany Road, Mid-Levels; 853- 2530-0154.

For the young and young at heart — Ocean Park and Middle Kingdom are two adjoining amusement parks. Ocean Park features rides, including a roller coaster and scenic cable car, as well as a water park and marine displays. Don't miss the Shark Aquarium and the huge Atoll Reef Aquarium. Middle Kingdom is a living-history museum that charts 5,000 years of Chinese civilization with replicas of temples, pagodas and street scenes, as well as exhibits and demonstration stalls. Traditional Chinese acrobats perform in the courtyard in front of the giant Buddha statue or in the Empress Theater. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission to both is HK$180 adults, HK$90 children. A round-trip transportation and entry fee package is a good value at HK$204 for adults and HK$102 for children. Ocean Park Road, near Aberdeen (take Citybus 269 from Admiralty MTR station); 852-2552-0291; www.oceanpark.com.hk.

hkskyline

June 25th, 2006, 03:09 AM

Tourist industry suffers summer of bumpy rides
25 June 2006
South China Morning Post

This is supposed to be the summer that it all begins to fall into place for Hong Kong's tourist industry.

The new Lantau cable car attraction, Ngong Ping 360, was to come on stream this weekend as the missing link in our attractions - a spectacular natural scenic excursion to complement the marine theme of Ocean Park, the Disneyland experience at Penny's Bay and the quintessential Hong Kong experience - the Star Ferry link between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Disneyland is looking to the summer family holidays - and perhaps a spin-off from the cable-car attraction - for a strong showing to turn around disappointing attendance figures in the final three months of its first year in Hong Kong.

Ocean Park, meanwhile, is embarking on a $5.5 billion makeover as it approaches its 30th birthday.

After Disney came to grips with the difficult initiation of its theme park concept in Hong Kong, marked by teething problems ranging from oversold tickets to underwhelming attendances, it seemed that nothing more could go wrong for tourism - at least, not with the "journey to enlightenment" by cable car from Tung Chung to the once-tranquil setting around the Po Lin Buddhist monastery and Big Buddha statue.

We now know that Murphy's Law, that if anything can go wrong it will, has not yet run its course at Disney. It struck Ngong Ping 360 during trials last weekend, with system problems that left 500 invited guests stranded for up to two hours in mid-air.

As a result its launch has been postponed pending testing of reprogrammed systems and further trials.

Skyrail-ITM, the operator of the tourist attraction, has, sensibly, resisted setting a new date and has embarked on a series of trial runs, even though it says the glitch never compromised the safety of the public.

It has also undertaken a timely review of the emergency hotline system for passengers who may find themselves stranded in mid-air in any future incidents, other measures for keeping people informed, and a supply of contingency bus transport.

The public is entitled to expect nothing less thorough from a transport project owned by the MTR Corp, given its exemplary safety record.

The operator of the cable car service has to be mindful of a safety factor that it shares with the airport it overlooks - wind.

Gusts of more than 90km/h disrupted the first day of trials for three hours earlier this month. Moreover, wind conditions at the summit and on the coast, where the cable car ride starts, are different.

The operator has a link to the Hong Kong Observatory that allows it to monitor weather patterns. On 92 days last year the Observatory reported wind speeds of more than 90km/h, meaning the ride could be delayed or closed for about three months of the year.

From time to time, therefore, nature may restore to the Po Lin monks a brief measure of the remaining tranquillity of their lofty sanctuary.

It has not been the same since the unveiling of the giant Tian Tan Buddha statue opposite the monastery in 1993 led to an invasion of tourists.

Buddhist temples are almost always to be found in high retreats, so the monks can remain above the secular troubles that are the cause of human suffering. Let us hope that the cable car's start-up troubles are not an omen but rather a reminder for us to treat the elements and the original custodians of the new tourist destination with respect.

hkskyline

June 25th, 2006, 09:59 PM

A high-seas hero in Hong Kong
25 June 2006
Sunday Telegraph

Paul Etherington's speedboat always draws a crowd. When he pulls in to pick up passengers at the fishing town of Sai Kung, east of Kowloon, the locals come and stare.

That's no great surprise, for many Hong Kong residents remember this monster of a craft from the days when police used a fleet of them to pursue Chinese smugglers.

Last time I'd ridden one was as a reporter for the South China Morning Post about 15 years ago. Back then, we were chasing a team of smugglers carrying cigarettes, drugs and people into Hong Kong from China.

It was a terrifying ride -- a real cops-and-robbers chase that Hong Kong's very own action hero, Jackie Chan, would have relished.

We weaved between myriad islands with blinding speed, and for heart-stopping seconds were completely airborne.

This time, I was just chasing some fun.

"Hang on," said Etherington as he powered up the engines that left Sai Kung behind us in a heartbeat. Sea spray revealed split-second rainbows as we bounced over the waves.

We passed fishermen clinging to cliffs, and flashed past bobbing junks as they ploughed on through the building seas -- destination unknown.

As we rounded a headland, we were hit by the full force of a roaring oceanic wind barrelling in from the South China Sea, bringing a 2m swell with it. With the last hint of civilisation out of view, we began to explore a very different Hong Kong.

With this boat, Etherington -- British-born, but a long-time Hong Kong resident -- has become a pioneer, opening up the region's wild and unexplored places to wide-eyed tourists. It's a timely move, as 2006 is officially Discover Hong Kong Year.

"Most visitors to Hong Kong think there's just Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, and the Star Ferry sailing between them every few minutes -- and that's it," Etherington yelled at me over the roar of the engines and the wind.

"In fact, Hong Kong has more than 200 outlying islands, some of them havens for nature and wildlife. There's so much more to explore out here. You'd never believe you could do something this dramatic, natural and exciting in Hong Kong, yet it's easy. We're an hour at the most from the city centre."

Etherington's company, Kayak-and-Hike Ltd, takes guests out on speedboat adventures to remote and uninhabited islands where they can snorkel or kayak.

Some kayak trips are leisurely affairs, paddling through easy channels and stopping off at fishing villages or empty, white-sand beaches for lunch. The more adventurous head out on open water to negotiate dramatic natural sea arches.

That afternoon, in my bright green kayak and with more than an ounce of trepidation, I lined myself up for a stab at entering the Wang Chau Arch.

I stayed nose-on into the waves for as long as possible before making a swift left turn and, now broadside to those ominous walls of water, sprinted forward to take cover in the arch.

Inside, all was calm. We rose and fell gently for a few minutes on our kayaks, listening to the echoing of lapping water, before emerging back into the sunlight on the other side and paddling furiously to escape the dreaded sucking of the rock eddies.

After successfully negotiating such a thrilling high-seas adventure, there is little more fitting for a celebratory Jackie Chan hero than checking in to a luxury hotel with a killer spa.

At Kowloon, we headed for the InterContinental Hong Kong and its multi-awardwinning I-Spa -- the first in Hong Kong to incorporate the ancient Chinese philosophy of feng shui. By pure coincidence, the spa's feng shui expert (or "master") was one Jackie Chan -- no relation, he assured me, to our Hong Kong hero.

Every element of the spa is designed and placed with minute detail to ensure harmony.

Settle into your private suite and ease your bruised knees and aching arms with the Ancient Rituals Of The Orient treatment, a blissful mix of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Indian disciplines designed to balance your yin and yang.

The InterContinental Hong Kong also boasts that it offers the city's best views.

Its harbour-view suites have two picture windows, 3m wide, that frame almost the entire skyline of Hong Kong Island, and the width of Victoria Harbour. It's a mesmerising sight, day and night.

Even the lobby (also carefully feng shui-ed so Kowloon's famous invisible dragons have access to the harbour) offers a stunning city backdrop. Most hotel lobbies are places to check in and check out, but the InterContinental's is one you never want to leave.

If you're staying on Hong Kong Island, the recently opened Landmark Mandarin Oriental's Oriental Spa is an underground oasis dedicated to pampering and decadence.

Its wide-ranging treatments are available to all, but there are distinct male and female areas for certain experiences.

The girls get to access the Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, a Laconium (an ancient Roman sweat bath), and a Moroccan Rasul, where therapeutic mud draws out impurities.

The boys aren't left out -- they get to try Tropical Rain Saunas and a traditional hamam (Turkish sweat house).

Between treatments, anyone can take a trip in the Zen Relaxation Room, where silence and dusk lighting make for a blissful retreat.

FACT FILE

DETAILS: Kayak-and-Hike: www.kayak-and-hike.com , paul@kayakand-hike.com

InterContinental Hong Kong: www.intercontinental.com , www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

Landmark Mandarin Oriental: www.mandarinoriental.com