In the letter headlined, 'Help tourists' (South China Morning Post, July 15), M Milne asks if anything is being done to improve signage along the Mid-Levels escalator.

The Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) initiated the 'Development of a Strategy for Visitor Signage and Information in Hong Kong', as part of its Visitor and Tourism Study for Hong Kong (Vistour), completed at the end of 1995. This has provided the strategic direction for a pilot signage scheme that encompasses the Stanley, Central and Western districts unveiled in Stanley by Tourism Commissioner Mike Rowse in December last year. Subsequently, we are now seeing as part of the Central and Western District Enhancement Scheme, implemented by the Architectural Services Department, adequate signage being placed along the route of the Mid-Levels escalator to direct commuters to alight at appropriate junctions.

The HKTA is also engaged in installing a comprehensive system of directional signage from major public transport interchanges to places of interest and public amenities. These include Hong Kong Park, Lan Kwai Fong, the Mid-Levels escalator and dining and entertainment district, the Peak Tram, the Star Ferry and outlying islands ferry piers and so on. This project should be completed by the end of September.