Introduction
With the ramified changes in economic condition, tours and travel busienss has been gaining momentum throughout the time. There is always an awkward relationship between the tourism and cultural heritage management for historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong and hospitality functions. The tourism industry is the major pedestal for Hong Kong’s economy. The major functions of the tourism industry in the Hong Kong economy includes financial services, trading and logistics, professional services and tourism attractions have been the major factors of Hong Kong’s economic growth. Financial services include the broad range of the services that can be categorised as money management, insurance, stock brokerage and other financial services. In 2000 the arrival of the guests increased by 15% to 13.06 million traversing the record which was set in 1996. In 2014 the contribution of the tourism industry in Hong Kong’s GDP was nearly 5 %. In 2015 the number of visitors reduced by 2.5% over 2014 as compared to previous years. For 77 per cent of the visitors the largest source of market was Mainland. The number of visitors in Hong Kong has fell down by 10.9% over the same period of 2015.
Functions of Tourism Commission
There is a strong alliance between Tourism Commission and Hong Kong Tourism Board also known as Hong Kong Tourist Association, with the help of other organisations to escalate the development of the tourism. Further, certain responsibilities are also associated with the Tourism commission which are discussed below.
Stakeholders Theory
There are several actors involved in the tourism and leisure industry. They can be further categorised as public sector, private sector, and voluntary and community sector. Under the public sector the government funds the tourism industry. In order to motivate persons to strengthen the tours and travel busienss, Commission has used several programs to align the interest of the stakeholder with the development of the tours and travel busienss. It has given funding and supporting program to tours operators (Tsoi, 2013).
An extensive research is conducted with the Local government, e.g. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau; Tourism Commission Quangos (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations) a non-departmental public body, e.g. Hong Kong Tourism Board. National and regional tourist organisations are also involve sin the development of the tourism industry and regional or local tourist offices, e.g. HK Tourism Board Visitor Information Centre at Star Ferry TST (Tolkach, 2018).
In this different channels and work program have been used to promote the historical monuments to strengthen the tours and travel program of Hong Kong.
Impact of the Tourism Commission’s work
The impact of the tourism commission’s work can be divided into different categories. These categories can be economic impact, social, environmental and cultural. In terms of the impact of tourism on the economy, this industry of tourism is considered as one of the fastest flourishing industries on the scale globally. This industry is most critical and pivotal export industry when compared with other line of industries. It has a wide network and immensely strong dimensions which also involve sin supporting of the social developments and economic growth (Tse, and Prideaux,2017).
As the number of tourists increase the interests and dealings of these tourists tends to be different with the destinations and its utilisation of resources. The characteristics also play an important role, such as the duration of the stay, the level of satisfaction achieved after visiting to a particular place (Tse and qui, 2016). Further, psychographic characteristics also play an important role which includes age, income profile to spend upon the leisure activities and to attend the events, expectations and motivation, background and the behaviour. The responsibilities adopted by the tourism commission for proper transportation and amusement parks will give the visitors a better view and experience. Therefore, it is an important factor in making marketing and management decisions It contributed a total of 3.4% to Hong Kong’s GDP in 2009 (McKercher and Du Cros, 2013). Continuous diversified attractions are being developed by the government through the years to enhance the city Hong Kong as a major tourist destination. These attractions will eventually boost the economy of the city and help building their reputation of the city.
In Hong Kong, the welfare of the economy is highly dependent upon the tourism industry and contributes around 4.7% partition in its total national income (Chiu, and Wong, 2018). The work can be positively recorded in terms of labour force displacement, where there are more opportunities available for the labour to secure their employment, the number of jobs that are created are robustly pacing for the countries which are entering into the tourism profession. The employment can be generated either directly or indirectly (Luk, 2015). Direct employment opportunities refer to the total number of jobs which are cornerstone by the industry itself. For example restaurants, museums, cultural areas such as national park, religious sites and monuments, photography sites, farms, local transportation facilities such as bus, trains, ferries and hotels. On the other hand the indirect employment can be the companies involved in the business of the construction to maintain the tourist attractions and provide facilities to the visitors. The necessary infrastructure is created, various handicrafts producers, accounting facilities which are more or less supported by the tourism companies to generate employment and the revenue. Thus, the impact if tends to be positive can also result into the improvement of standard of living and tremendous change in the lifestyle. With the help of the proper planning process, policies and strategies, the jobs are created for the people and human resource management gets strengthen as a part of tourism development (Liu, 2017). The major factor is derived from the income, investments and the development (Wan, and Bramwell, 2015).
After analysing the positive side of development of historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong and hospitality functions, it could be inferred that it will not only attract the potential clients on the international level but also increase the foreign exchange reserve of economy at large (Chan and lee, 2017).
However, the work done by the Tourism Commission towards the sustainability of the tourism industry can improve the existing situation. The policies have been formulated and the strategies have been adopted to take necessary steps against the following factors. The development of historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong and hospitality functions would be set up as base by the tourism commission to increase the attractiveness of the tourism of the Hong Kong on international level. The main outcomes of the development of the historical buildings of the Hong Kong is based on eh tourist choices, belief, values and their attraction towards the historical culture.
Benefits and challenges in the development of historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong
Historic monuments and older buildings are considered as the prestige, social symbol and value of that particular region (Song, Wong and Chon, 2013). These building depict the culture, religions, thoughts, beliefs and communities of the nation or the country in which they are located. The below presented scenario is focused on describing the advantages and disadvantages of reusing the historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong and hospitality functions (Yung, and Chan, 2014).
Benefits
The main benefits of development of historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong and hospitality functions is based on the arts, exhibition of the historical culture and description of the historical monuments. In this fast moving ramified economy, people are more inclined towards seeing historical monuments which have been destructed and found very rate on international level. These historical arts will not only strengthen the tourism industry of the Hong Kong by attracting more clients but also showcase the old culture of the ancient people in Hong Kong. And all of the above mentioned factors are so significant that the business organization of modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality decisions will automatically inclined in favour of reusing the historic buildings. Moreover, building new infrastructure will be proven much expensive as compared with the reusing the historic buildings (Wan, 2013).
Embodied energy can be considered as a combination of various types of energy that will be consumed for producing the goods and it is considered that the energy is embodied in the product itself. But in some scenarios, the existing infrastructure are thought to be of such poor quality in relation to aesthetics, functionality and communal impacts that being the benefit of reusing, destructing and building new infrastructure is preferred.
There are several historical buildings which are located in prime locations and symbolise itself as attraction to the tourist on international level. It has been observed that number of historic and older buildings is situated or occupies the prime locations of the region due to the extension of the limits of the edge of town location originally used and this is due to the urban sprawls (Cheong Cheng, 2013). Moreover, the industrial infrastructures are located next to the rivers and canals and this will be proven advantageous from the added desirability and value associated with waterfront ways. And all of the above mentioned factors will be proven advantageous for the modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality functions.
Social sustainability: The reusing of old and historic buildings will be aiding in the restoration process and also it will be able for new use. And also for the communities that will be appreciating the historical significance of the infrastructure and this will also be aiding in maintaining the link with the past. Even though the historical or the older monuments do not have remarkable architecture but it will be still holding a piece of social significance because of the memories that are linked with the communities. Moreover, it may be an un-familiar feeling for the existing neighbourhood at the time of replacing historical sites with the new infrastructures. And thus making adoption or reusing the historic monuments and older building will be proven beneficial for the modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality functions. Storing and conserving the historic buildings will be aiding by providing a window in the past and it also offers character, roots- an anchor to the idea.
Economic sustainability: After analysing the present era, it can be clearly observed that the expenses incurred for infrastructure development and technological development in Hong Kong is high and hence it will be proven beneficial for the modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality functions to make adaptive reusing and that will lead towards large financial savings. The increased investment for energy consumption will not only strengthen the infrastructure of economy of Hong Kong but also facilitate tourist for their leisure, events and hospitality functions,
Apart from the above mentioned advantages there are various dis-advantages that will be suffered by the modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality functions while making the reuse of historic building:
Challenges in development of historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong and hospitality functions
Complex buildings: The historical monuments of the Hong Kong are accompanied with the highly attractive monuments, and traditional infrastructures and layouts and it may bring outcomes of a fairly specific original function possibly industrial. Making adoption of complex infrastructure will require proper coordination and historical way of work which is highly expensive and an advanced modified design will also come-up as a challenge. Whereas, the new building will be [posing less technical and economic challenges and uncertainties comparatively. And this can be considered as one of the biggest challenge that may be experienced by the modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality functions while making adoption of old and historic building (Chan, and Lee, 2017).
The requirements of listing: One of the biggest requirements that should be made approved from the governing authorities is the listed building consent. This is a must requirement that will be demanded during all the works of demolition, alteration or extension, for a listed infrastructure and this will surely affect its character, as an infrastructure of special historic interest and special architectural. Moreover, it will also be considered as a legal offence if they fail to approve the consent. And hence this has also been counted under the list of challenges that will be faced by the modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality functions. The organization should be well aware of the listing of the building as not knowing that the building is listed will not be considered as a legal defines in case of any of the criminal proceedings or act (Chan, and Lee, 2017)
Analysis of the challenges
It is analyzed that difficulties may be faced while making adoption to accommodate access for the individuals that are disabled. Moreover, challenges may also be faced while accommodating the desired standards by the contemporary infrastructures, such as indoor air quality, thermal and acoustic performance requirements. And it has been observed that mostly the business organizations fails in fulfilling the required expectations and thus it is also a barrier for the modern tourism, leisure, events and hospitality function.
History of historic Building
Under the crown of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Heritage Museum presents a special history of art, culture and tourism in an ample variety. It is located near the Shing Mung River. The first time it was opened for the visitors on 16th of December 2000. It is operated and maintained by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the government of Hong Kong (Carroll, 2017). There are six permanent galleries which whose architecture was done by the designer firm Reich Petch in alignment with the Lord Cultural Resources. The speciality o the building is it can accommodate roundabout 6000 visitors.
An example of another historic building can be Tsang Tai UK also known as Shan Ha Wai is one of the villages in Hong Kong. The history of the building involves its construction which begun in 1847 by a rich merchant and mason namely Tsang Koon Man as a stronghold for the Tsang clan. It almost took around 20 years to complete it. Things which have been preserved till now are bricks made up of original timber and granite. The Shan Ha Wai is of rectangular shape and consists of three rows (Cheung, 2015). The houses are covered by the bricks of grey colour. There are four corners and each of the corners is linked with the Three-story guard power with a small opening from where the guns can be fired in early days to defend from the wars (Abbas, 2015). There is a link between the passages and courtyards. During the period of 1970 the surroundings were exclusively developed. Whenever the new infrastructure was brought in the Hong Kong city the villagers were migrated to different places. However, Tsang Tai UK was kept due to its significance and the history associated with it. During 1979 the village was filled with 700 residents amongst them, 300 were the members of Tsang Clan. The most appropriate traditional walled village to reach from the island and the Kowloon is Tsang Tai UK (Fung, et. al, 2017). To see a glimpse of the life in Hong Kong as it was earlier to many people a train journey is adopted. The city has been turned into the modern wheels but the village remains intact as it was. It attracts large amount of the tourists and huge revenue is generated
Current functions
The current functions of the Museum are designed to provide comprehensive exhibitions on history art and culture. The Museum also has a number of interactive programmes. A café is also situated along with a museum shop.
In the display there are six permanent exhibition galleries in the museum on permanent basis and there are six thematic galleries which can be used for temporary exhibitions.
Exhibitions
The Permanent galleries includes New Territories Heritage Hall, Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall, Chao Shao-an Gallery, Jin Yong Gallery opened recently on 1 March 2017, Children’s Discovery Gallery and T.T.T Sui Gallery of Chinese Art which displays artefacts from the former Tsui Museum of Art. This art gallery showcase the arts which are highly attractive and appreciated by the art lover. They become attraction of center for the tourist who is art lover (Lim and McAleer, 2013). Apart from the galleries the museum also has a theatre consisting of 350 seats where various cultural programmes are held. The regular Cantonese opera performance is also a part of the same. There are about 30,000 items related to the Cantonese Opera which is an intangible heritage of the city Hong Kong and the region. The current function also includes the mission to reach to the maximum tourists and to encourage the public to participate in the activities related to the museum (Hanqin and Lam, 2013). A quarterly newsletter is also published to give the information about the kits, teaching activities, seminars, theatre and school events, programmes on art and culture. There are certain events set up for children and families to guide tours.
Impact
The impact on economy has been huge from the development of historical monuments and tours and travel program in Hong Kong and hospitality functions in Hong Kong. The direct contribution of Hong Kong’s Travel and Tourism to GDP in 2014 was 204.6 billion which forms 9.1% part of the GDP. Then it rises by 1.4% to and comes to 207.5 billion in 2015 (Henderson, 2014).
This showcases that the economic activity has been generated through hotels, travel agents, airlines and transportation services. The GDP increased due to several other activities such as leisure and restaurants. In 2014, Hong Kong generated HKD366.6bn in visitor exports. In 2015, this is expected to grow by 0.7%, and the country is expected to attract 30,520,000 international tourist arrivals (Jim, 2010). By 2025, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total 54,249,000, generating expenditure of HKD527.8bn, an increase of 3.6% pa. The contribution is expected to increase by 3.4% to 9.25% by 2025. The investment of money by the foreign visitors is a key component of direct contribution to the Travel and Tourism Company (Kim and Prideaux, 2015).
On the other hand the social impact can be seen as window of the past. It gives a characteristic and anchor and root to the entire department of tourism. More and more customers are attracted to the tourist’s spots in Hong Kong and the value and ethics have been internalised (Li, 2014).
Conclusion
Form the above analysis it can be concluded that the Tourism industry in the Hong Kong city has contributed much to the overall GDP of the tourism industry. The certain policies and strategies are formulated to renovate the existing structure of the tourism industry. With the advice of the stakeholders, governments and feedback from the tourists the Tourism commission can work upon the phases in which the country is lacking. Moreover, the commission is also required to formulate new strategies according to the new trends prevailing in the tourism industry. To attract large number of customers the industry can conduct certain seminars and meetings. The overall impact of the economic, social and political factors can be analysed and controlled via necessary measures and steps to ensure flow of tourists and more contribution in the GDP of the country.
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