In the civil service, they call Mike Rowse 'The Delivery Man'. His seniors in the administration set him a task, usually difficult or unpopular, and the burly Englishman delivers the goods.
Now ordered to take up the complex and politically charged job of Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Rowse sits in his office and ponders how once again to deliver comprehensive answers to complex problems. It's no easy job he faces, and he knows it.
His former job, as Director of the Business and Services Promotion Unit, called on him to put together the government components that would attract new ventures to Hong Kong.
The new job requires him to do much the same for the tourism industries. As the man who has headed negotiations with Disney corporation for the proposed theme park on Lantau, Mr Rowse has already had an oversight of at least one aspect of tourism. That's made him aware just how many components there are to the complex travel, leisure, lodging, tour, entertainment, transport, catering and retail industries which make up our vital tourism economy.
It has as many problems as it has facets.
Since he was named to the post, his in-tray has been bulging with letters from tourist bodies, hotel organisations, travel agent groups and others. All are helpful. All are positive. All urge action.