**********************************
Following is the transcript of a media session by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, after attending the Opening Ceremony of the HOFAX2007 today (May 13) (English portion):
Reporter: Why was there a growth in tourists in Hong Kong in the first three months of this year?
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour: We must thank the Tourism Board, for example, for their good work. We need to thank all in the travel trade. They have been doing a lot of good work, with new product, promotion and marketing. We have also reduced our tax on wines. So I am sure that hotels and restaurants will follow suit. And we have been investing in our (tourism) infrastructure. We will continue to do our best to improve the quality of service. At the same time, we are reviewing our legislation concerning consumer protection. I hope all these will give confidence to our tourists. That is why in the first quarter of the year, we have seen an increase of 6.3% in the number of tourists coming to Hong Kong, as compared to the same period last year. This is good news.
Reporter: What about the hotel occupancy rate?
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour: I know that they are doing well. I thank them for their good services.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Sunday, May 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:33
NNNN
