Local Activities

Besides promoting Hong Kong overseas, the HKTA also organised local
events throughout the year to further enhance awareness among residents
of the importance of the tourist industry to Hong Kong.

As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the HKTA launched a special
'time capsule' into cyberspace in June 1997. It contained a range of items
representative of HKTA and the tourist industry achievements over the
past four decades. It is due to be opened in 2007.

The Student Ambassador Programme celebrated its 30th anniversary in
1997 with a reunion seminar and dinner. It was attended by more than
250 students and former student ambassadors.

The 1997 Courtesy Campaign kicked off with 828 Courtesy Day on
August 28. A total of 18 Courtesy Kids helped spread the message about
courtesy in all 18 districts, while Courtesy Star Andy Lau lent his talents
to the opening ceremony. Mr Lau joined Cass Phang and other celebrities
in a series of three television messages encouraging higher courtesy
standards from residents.

The HKTA is active in the field of industry training and, for example,
works closely with the Vocational Training Council and other institutes to
ensure sufficient and relevant courses are available for industry staff, or
those wishing to joining it. The HKTA publishes a Hotel, Catering and
Tourism Courses Directory to provide comprehensive and detailed
information on the availability of such courses.

To promote career opportunities in the tourism industry, the HKTA
supports the Travel and Tourism Education Programme. At the end of
1997, 68 schools made tourism a subject in their curriculum, reaching
some 4 600 students. The HKTA also holds regular career seminars,
exhibitions and presentations to encourage school children to consider a
career in tourism.

The association publishes the membership directory for the Hong Kong
Association of Registered Tour Co-ordinators, which was established to
maintain high professional standards among tour co-ordinators. The
directory helps tourism personnel to select qualified guides.

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