World-class attractions, with much more in store (hktdc.com)


	Due to open later this month, Hong Kong's Ngong Ping 360 is one of the world's most spectacular cable-car rides. Photo credit: Skyrail-ITM (Hong Kong) Ltd

Hong Kong should sustain a healthy growth in visitor arrivals in the next few years thanks to new attractions and China's rapidly growing middle class, according to industry experts.

The latest addition to Hong Kong's growing list of attractions is Ngong Ping 360, described as one of the most spectacular cable-car rides in the world.

"As this city faces strong and ever-growing competition from other destinations, we must be able to offer our visitors the widest possible choice of world-class attractions and experiences," said Clara Chong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The Tourism Board is using new attractions as a key plank in its 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year global promotion, which aims to position the city as one of the world's hottest, must-visit destinations, added Ms Chong.

New view of Big Buddha

The HK$950 million (US$122 million) Ngong Ping 360 project opens for business at the end of June. It is expected to carry 1.5 million visitors annually from Tung Chung town on Lantau Island up a breathtaking 5.7 km ride to one of Hong Kong's top draw cards, the Big Buddha, the world's largest, seated bronze Buddha statue.

More new attractions include Hong Kong Wetland Park, which allows visitors to get close to nature and learn about wetland ecosystems which are common in Asia. The park reopened on May 20 with the completion of the second and final phase of the 60-hectare nature reserve including a 60,000 square metre visitor centre.

The Peak Tower, Hong Kong's iconic hill-top attraction overlooking the city, is also poised to unveil a HK$100 million (US$12.3 million) facelift. The revitalised Peak Tower will give its millions of visitors a larger and higher area for viewing the city and harbour, a "festival market" with shops themed on Hong Kong of yesteryear, and new restaurants to give more dining choices.

Hong Kong's Ocean Park is also embarking on a major upgrade this year with many new attractions, adding to the popularity of this well-established venue.

Disney magic


	Hong Kong Wetland Park, which allows visitors to get close to nature, reopened in May

With last September's opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, it all promises to keep tourists coming in growing numbers. In its latest statistics, the Tourism Board reported the city attracted 2.1 million visitors in March, taking the total in the first quarter to 6.2 million, up 13.8 per cent on last year.

Some 23 million visitors came in 2005, an annual record and up 7.1 per cent on 2004. "Last year was a very strong year. This year to be able to have that kind of growth in the first quarter is very encouraging," said Scott Davies, general manager of the new Novotel Citygate in Tung Chung. "Traveller numbers are showing strong and sustainable growth. It has been the perfect time to open a new hotel."

The 440-room Novotel Citygate, run by French hotel giant Accor, was launched in April and is a good example of how the tourism industry is tapping into Hong Kong's strong growth prospects. Situated near Hong Kong International Airport, the new exhibition centre AsiaWorld-Expo, the cable car and Disneyland, yet still only a short subway ride to downtown, the new hotel is luring both business and leisure clients.

Mr Davies said: "The benefit of these new products like Ngong Ping 360 and Disneyland is that they may increase the length of stay of visitors in Hong Kong and that should benefit the industry and the economy."

Jobs creation

The Ngong Ping project should lead to some substantial job creation, added Paul Leung, president of Hong Kong Inbound Travel Association. "Everybody [in the industry] is looking forward to the June opening," he said.

There was potential for the cable car to be extended to the picturesque fishing village of Tai O on Lantau Island, and linked to boat trips spotting rare pink dolphins, Mr Leung added.

A key driver for Hong Kong tourism has been China's introduction of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) in 2003, which let tourists to come to Hong Kong on their own rather than in group tours, and allowed the city to tap into China's growing middle class. At the end of last year, the scheme covered residents of 38 major mainland cities and was extended to six more provincial capitals on May 1. In the first three months of the year, IVS arrivals grew by 30 per cent to 1.78 million, according to the Tourism Board's Ms Chong.

The potential for growth from China remains huge. Overall, China's tourism industry is expected to grow 14 per cent this year to US$353.7 billion, and keep growing at an annual rate of 8.7 per cent between 2007-20016, according to a new report by the World Travel and Tourism Council.