THE key to the future success of Hong Kong's tourism industry lies in the territory's history, according to a recent study.
The Position Paper on the Future of the Hong Kong Tourism Industry, by the Polytechnic University's Department of Hotel and Tourism Management (HTM), examines the issues and problems the industry faces in the wake of the downturn of tourism arrivals.
Department Head Professor Ray Pine says prior to the economic crisis Hong Kong had seen tourism grow successfully, with little effort from the industry. "Hotels were full, people were being bumped off flights. The government and the industry assumed there was no need to do anything [to encourage tourism]. The past two years have shown how important tourism is to the Hong Kong economy," says Pine.
One of the study's key recommendations is to implement a tourism policy statement and tourism plan by the Commissioner for Tourism that involves all key stakeholders including industry, government, residents, academics and environmental and community groups.
"Singapore has had a tourism development plan for the last 20 years, whereas Hong Kong has always been more ad hoc," Pine says. "Hong Kong needs to have a vision for the future, supported by a policy statement."
Pine adds that such a vision should focus on Hong Kong's strengths - such as its history and heritage.
"Hong Kong is far more than East meets West. It has one of the world's most amazing skylines, it has a mix of sky scrapers and tiny side streets, as well as history and heritage. Hong Kong has grown to become a cosmopolitan business centre."