Tourism
7
Visitors to Hong Kong enjoy a range of fascinating activities in one
of the world’s great cities. Some are unexpected joys, such as
discovering Hong Kong’s large areas of green countryside and its
sparkling white beaches. Others include finding historic temples just
down the road from a fresh, aromatic coffee shop on Hong Kong
Island. A short walk leads from breakfast and a coffee on Tai Ping
Shan Street in laid-back Sheung Wan to the iconic Man Mo Temple
Compound on Hollywood Road. A little further along is the creative
industry landmark “PMQ”, a heritage complex that previously housed
married police officers.
Classic excursions include taking the Peak Tram to the mountaintop
and walking around the summit to admire the spectacular view over
Victoria Harbour. The new Central Harbourfront offers a superb
vantage point to enjoy the views and has provided a new space for
popular events such as the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and
the Clockenflap music and arts festival. A Star Ferry trip to Kowloon
leads to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and at night a chance to
appreciate A Symphony of Lights, a multi-media light and sound
show showcasing the vibrancy and glamour of Victoria Harbour.
A trip to Yau Tsim Mong (the combined districts of Yau Ma Tei, Tsim
Sha Tsui and Mong Kok) provides visitors with the chance to sample
local food snacks in Temple Street night market and the vibrant night
life. Since its return to the Motherland, Hong Kong’s vitality and
charm have continued to grow.
Tourism is one of Hong Kong’s four pillar industries, contributing
5 per cent of GDP and providing over 270,000 jobs, or some
7 per cent of total employment.
The sector has grown swiftly over the past 20 years. Visitor arrivals
totalled 11.27 million in 1997, but had jumped above 56 million
in 2016, with more than 70 per cent coming from the Mainland.
The significant increase in Mainland visitors is mainly due to the
implementation of the Individual Visit Scheme since 2003, which
enabled residents of 49 Mainland cities to visit Hong Kong in their
individual capacity.
Hong Kong has continually added new attractions and tourism
facilities, such as Hong Kong Disneyland (2005); Ngong Ping 360
on Lantau Island (2006), which is ranked among “10 of the world’s
most amazing cable car experiences”; Hong Kong Wetland Park
(2006), our first eco-tourism facility; sky100 in West Kowloon (2011),
the city’s highest observation deck; Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (2013);
the Hong Kong Observation Wheel (2014); and, the Ani-Com Park@
Harbour ‘FUN’ in North Wan Chai (2016).
More diversified tourism products are planned to increase Hong Kong
tourism’s competitiveness, bring in more overnight and high valueadded visitors and to tap newer markets such as India and Russia.
New themed tours, featuring heritage, art and culture, authentic
experiences, green tours and cruise tours will be provided. The
government will continue to promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives,
Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism to attract more business
travellers. Meanwhile, Hong Kong plays host to a diverse variety
of mega events, which enrich the travel experience of visitors and
reinforce Hong Kong’s position as the events capital of Asia.
Major new events include the FIA Formula E Hong Kong ePrix,
which took place in Hong Kong for the first time in 2016; and the first
Volvo Ocean Race Hong Kong Stopover in early 2018.
Food trucks joining the Food Truck Pilot Scheme started business
from early 2017 to provide creative and high-quality food to enhance
the appeal of our tourist attractions.
Hong Kong’s two major theme parks, Ocean Park and Disneyland,
are expanding with special new areas and hotels. The Central
Police Station Compound, which dates from the mid-19th century,
is being revitalised and transformed into the Tai Kwun (‘Big Station’
in Cantonese), a vibrant centre for heritage, contemporary art and
leisure. The government will promote cruise tourism and is taking
forward a “fly-cruise” initiative to widen source markets.
Work on major tourism projects at Kai Tak and Lantau is under way.
Completion of major infrastructure projects such as the Hong KongZhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Hong Kong section of GuangzhouShenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and the planned third
runway for Hong Kong International Airport will enhance inbound
visitor traffic and benefit tourism development.
The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, opened in 2013, is helping Hong Kong to develop as a leading regional cruise hub.
Built at the tip of the old Kai Tak Airport runway, the sleek, modern facility enjoys superb views across Victoria Harbour.
Tourism
Far left: The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival is held on the
Central waterfront with stunning views of the cityscape and
across Victoria Harbour. The world-class Festival began in 2009
and attracts hundreds of wine merchants and thousands of
wine-lovers each year.
Top left: Hong Kong’s vibrant culinary scene has earned the city
a reputation as a gourmet paradise.
Above: Diners enjoy food and drinks al fresco at a restaurant in
Tai Hang on Hong Kong Island.
Left: Diners make their choices during the Hong Kong Food Truck
Festival 2016. The trucks have been introduced to add fun and
vibrancy to Hong Kong food options.
47
Tourism
Far left: Colourful cartoon characters on parade at Hong Kong
Disneyland, which opened in 2005.
Above left: Visitors catch an unparalleled vista from the sky100
Hong Kong Observation Deck, 393 metres above sea level on
the 100 th floor of Hong Kong’s tallest building, the International
Commerce Centre in Kowloon.
Above: The 34-metre-high Tian Tan Buddha, also known as
the Big Buddha, is one of the spectacular sights to be enjoyed
from Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car on Lantau Island.
Left: The Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central offers a
magnificent view of the harbour and skyline.
49
Tourism
Far left: Roller-coaster and cable car rides at Ocean Park on
southern Hong Kong Island. The much-loved local attraction
marked its 40 th anniversary in 2017.
(Inset) Giant pandas and red pandas can be seen at the
Giant Panda Adventure.
Above: The 61-hectare Hong Kong Wetland Park nature reserve in
the territory’s northwest is a world-class conservation, education
and tourist facility that opened in 2006.
Right: The Peak Tower marks the upper terminus of the Peak
Tram, which opened in 1888 as Asia’s first cable funicular railway.
It remains a “must-do” attraction for locals and visitors alike.
51
Left: Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show lights up
the harbourfront at the Cultural Centre and the
Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui in August 2016.
Below left: The Chinese New Year Night Parade
is held each year in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Below left: Temple Street night market in Jordan and
Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, is very popular with tourists looking for
a bargain or locals keen for an al fresco seafood dinner.
Below: Local snacks are popular aspects of the eclectic
experience to be found at Causeway Bay.
Tourism
Below: Paddlers vie for glory in the Hong Kong
Dragon Boat Carnival on Victoria Harbour. The
Carnival attracts teams from around the world.
Left: Festival Walk, in Kowloon Tong, is one of the territory’s
popular tourist spots.
53