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SCMP Reporter

REGIONAL tourism authorities at the expo will help Asia's travellers discover more attractions and destinations.

    The Ceylon Tourist Board, Government of India Tourist Office, Hokkaido Tourist Association, Hong Kong Tourist Association and Korea National Tourism Corporation will be among those represented.

  In addition, the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Maldives Ministry of Tourism, Mauritius Government Tourist Office, Osaka Tourist Association, Philippines Department of Tourism, Singapore Tourist Promotions Board and Tourism Authority of Thailand have set up booths.

  Singaporean officials, who believe the state's attractions are undervalued in the eyes of Hong Kong travellers, will be making a concerted effort to gain attention.

  According to the Singapore Tourist Promotions Board (STPB), Hong Kong people were not aware of recent changes in tourism products on the island.

  The Singapore Zoological Garden and Jurong Bird Park have been upgraded and Sentosa island has undergone an extensive development.

  Two new resort hotels, the Beaufort and the Rasa Sentosa, have opened on the island.

  In addition, there are a variety of theme parks including Fantasy Island, Asia's largest water theme park, and Volcanoland, which offers a simulation of an erupting volcano.

  The STPB hopes to change Hong Kong visitors' perception of Singapore as safe and clean but dull, while also helping travel agents develop new tour products such as 'fly-cruise' programmes. These involve flying to Singapore and then sailing to other destinations on a Singapore-based cruise liner.

  The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board will publicise a number of destinations, including favoured locations such as the east coast, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

  The focus, however, will be on developing the island of Langkawi, near the Thai border, where a number of luxury resorts have opened.

  Brunei will be promoting its own attractions through Royal Brunei Airlines.

  The airline will offer Golden Touch Holidays with options including river safaris and island and jungle excursions.

  Korea will be exhibiting under the theme, 'Discover Korea, a Different Asia', and will address itself to trade buyers and local consumers.

  'We are promoting the fact that Korea is different from other Asian countries and we will be talking about the forthcoming Asian Games,' said Park Byoung Jik, deputy director of the Korea National Tourism Corporation's Hong Kong Office.

   'We will also be trying to create interest in a number of destinations, including Cheju island and Kyongju, and, of course, Seoul.'   Mr Park said South Korea was looking to broaden interest in its attractions among Southeast Asian travellers.



Regional agencies promote lesser-known destinations