A one-stop complaints panel is to be set up to help visitors, according to the new tourism chief. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Tourism Association chairman Selina Chow Liang Suk-yee, who took up the position last month and is the Liberal Party's vice-chairman, mapped out her strategy for boosting tourism.
She said the average stay of visitors had dropped from 3.8 days five years ago to 3.3 days, compared to two days for Singapore and six for Thailand. Mrs Chow said Hong Kong was limited by geographical constraints and small area in keeping tourists longer. But one way to lengthen the period was to make them feel the SAR was a 'warm' place.
To achieve this, the Commission for Tourism would provide a one-stop service from July to co-ordinate handling of tourist complaints. It will work with the Tourist Association and the Consumer Council.
'We have to let the tourists feel this is a warm place and that we really care what they think after they leave Hong Kong. In that case, their chance of returning will be higher,' she said.
Mrs Chow said better marketing was also needed. For example, a business visitor might like to stay for one or two days after attending a conference in Hong Kong. 'We can build more golf courses. There is no need for them to travel to Shenzhen to play golf if they have limited time. The idea of building one more cruise terminal is also worth looking into,' she said.
Information to meet the needs of tourists, for example where to eat and shop, should be distributed to organisers of international conferences. Hong Kong should be promoted as a travelling hub, from where short trips to Pearl River Delta cities could be made, she said. 'Hong Kong is already an aviation hub for freight. But there is room for improvement for visitors.' Mrs Chow said other ideas being considered included the organisation of walking tours to explore the traditional aspects of Hong Kong and introducing museum cards, with discounts, for tourists.
