HONG KONG

China is now the fourth largest tourist destination in the world, receiving 124 million inbound travelers in 2006, according to the China National Tourism Administration, and growth will continue as the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing and the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 attracts more visitors. China also has become a major source of tourists, with nearly 29 million Chinese tourists going abroad in the first 10 month of 2006. China
is now the largest source of tourists in Asia. The surge in tourism has created opportunities in the hotel industry, the traditional travel agency business, transportation and retail.

Hong Kong, which attracts both foreign tourists and tourists from other regions of China, has a strong Travel & Tourism Education Programme. In November 2007 we had 10,122 students registered in 125 schools.  Over the past 10 years 31,736 students have passed through the programme.

Hong Kong students take four study units over a two-year period. Our 16 year olds and 17 years olds study “Tourism and the Tourist;” “The Travel & Tourism Industry,” and “The Impact of Tourism.” The following year our 17 and 18 year olds take “Working in the Travel & Tourism Industry.” The two-year curriculum is taught in 180 classroom periods and is taught in English or Chinese. For additional details about the study units click here.

Projects

In addition to classroom work, some of our students undertake projects related to the industry they are studying. As a sample of their work, here are recommendations ‘Kaleidoscope Hong Kong: A 6-day adventure’ by two high schoolers on how to spend six days in Hong Kong and its 260 outlying islands, 100 walking trails and 4 marine parks. The two students researched and created a profusely illustrated and useful guide showing some of the activities available to visitors who want to venture beyond the main tourist areas.

Partners of the Hong Kong Programme include:

American Express     
Cathay Pacific Airways        
Hong Kong Tourism Board        
Ogilvy and Mather Hong Kong    
The Peninsula Hong Kong         
Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong  
Marriott International Inc                         

The Hong Kong Programme Director is:

Patricia Lui
The Travel & Tourism Education Programme (HK) Ltd
18/F Cityplaza 4, 12 Taikoo Wan Road
Taikoo Shing

Phone: +852-2811-6181
Fax: +852-2811-5559
E-Mail: patricia.lui@aexp.com