5. TOURISM IN HONG KONG ȹC~
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1. Tourists from North America and other regions have declined by 15% and 8% respectively in September.
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2. Hit hard by the global economic downturn, the Tourist Association and travel agencies are making new attempts to boost the suffering industry.
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3. Many travel agencies in Hong Kong are turning to local tours for survival.
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4. In the light of intensifying competition, these agencies offer $100-a-day local tour packages to win business.
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5. Other than the elderly and community groups in Hong Kong, most who joined these local tours also included holidaymakers from mainland China.
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6. For $100, visitors not only receive tour guide service, but also transport and seafood lunch.
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7. For nature lovers, outlying islands, e.g. Lamma Island and Po Toi Island, are among the most popular destinations.
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8. Enjoying giant bowl feasts prepared by villagers in rural Yuen Long is another ideal activity for the weekend.
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9. Some agencies also offer packages to the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island.
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10. They are very attractive because a round trip between Central and the Giant Buddha would cost a visitor more than $60 if he goes on his own, while a vegetarian meal would cost another $60.
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11. Besides, heritage tours are organized for locals to better understand their roots.
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12. Historic monuments such as ancestral halls and temples have significant historic merit for local tourists.
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13. For instance, Tin Hau Kung, a temple on the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trial in Fanling, is believed to date back more than 300 years ago and was built to worship the sea goddess Tin Hau.
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14. Local tourism was largely ignored and insignificant in the past because of the low profit margin.
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15. Under the current economic downturn, however, it is now seen as an alternative source for customers.
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16. Now, many Hong Kong people go to Shenzhen for holiday and shopping, therefore many restaurants, shops and recreation businesses here cannot get enough customersto make ends meet.
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17. It is hoped that local tourism can persuade Hong Kong people to stay and spend money here.
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18. Transit passengers and business travelers are also targets of the one-day local tours.
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19. Government officials certainly welcome such a phenomenon.
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20. Financial Secretary Anthony Leung Kam-chung said that developing local tourism would be an essential part of the Government's tourism strategy.
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21. "It is high time we gave due attention and consideration to developing local tourism," he said.
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22. Our tourist industry could be further boosted with the relaxation of visa arrangements and abolition of quotas for tours to Hong Kong.
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23. These two measures are estimated to bring another 300,000 mainland visitors and generate an extra $1.4 billion tourist spending in Hong Kong every year.
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24. It is believed that mainland visitors will continue to grow with the lifting of restriction on travel agencies operating tours to Hong Kong.
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25. Finally, the introduction of a new multiple visa-free entry permit would allow visitors greater access to Hong Kong.
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26. The industry expects the above policies can compensate for losses suffered in the wake of the US terrorist attack.
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GLOSSARY - TOURISM IN HONG KONG

ancestral halls 

giant bowl feasts ֵ

giant Buddha j

heritage tours ǲΤ

holidaymaker װHh

multiple visa-free entry permit hKñҤJ

Po Toi Island Zxq

profit margin ڧQ

relaxation of visa arrangements JñҦwƪe

transit passengers Lҭ

vegetarian meal Nb
