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Worldental Daily, Thursday, 30 August 2012

Travel Thursday, 30 August 2012 further enhance Hong Kong’s appeal and provide our tourist partners with different business platforms.” According to Tien, highlights this year will include the Hong Kong Mid- AutumnFestival,whichwilltakeplace in September/October and will see a giant lantern erected at Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island, among other things. Owing to increasing competition from Hong Kong’s greater brother in the North and countries like Taiwan, the board which operates under the HK government, already began strategising Hong Kong’s develop- ment as a tourist destination in the late 1990s. As a first step, travel restrictions within China were eased through the Individual Visit Scheme almost a decade ago. Since then, travel between mainland China and Hong Kong has skyrocketed to over 15 million visitors per year. Funding for the Mega Events Fund has also recently been extended until 2014. The financial assistance scheme, worth hundreds of millions ofHKdollars,wasestablishedin2009 in order to give non-profit organisa- tions the means to host their meet- ings and events in Hong Kong. As well as its large share of Chi- nesevisitors,thecityattractsmillions of visitors from around the globe, of which many have decided to stay. Therefore, the city’s cultural and culi- narysceneisasdiverseasinanyother majorcityintheworld.Withtwo3-star and seven 2-star restaurants, Hong Kong now offers greater culinary ex- cellence than London or San Fran- cisco. Just last month, two Michelin- starred French-Italian chef Philippe Leveille announced the opening of a new Italian restaurant called l’Altro in the Central District. Hong Kong is also the third largest art market after the US and China, drawing thousands of visitors to its International Art Fair held every year in May. Despite its receptiveness to for- eign influences, however, the city has never forgotten its Chinese roots, whichwillbecomeimportantin2047, whenHongKong’sguaranteedauton- omy expires. Although relations with the motherland are close, observers are questioning whether the city, which is largely dependent on trade, can maintain its economic vitality over the next 30 years alongside a prospering China. Until then, at least Hong Kong is likely to remain Asia’s premier global destination. The Hong Kong Tourism Board provides more information on city tours, sights and events. Its main vis- itor centres are located at the airport (arrivals level, Terminal 1) and at the PeakPiazza(betweenThePeakTower andThe Peak Galleria). RESOURCES Iwww.discoverhongkong.com Iwww.timeout.com.hk Iwww.lonelyplanet.com/ china/hong-kong Itravel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/ asia/china/hong-kong/ Iwww.fodors.com/world/asia/ china/hong-kong/ Iwww.diarygrowingboy.com (HK food blog) 22 www.fdiworldental.org Dental Tribune for iPad – Your weekly news selection Our editors select the best articles and videos from around the world for you every week. Create your personal edition in your preferred language. ipad.dental-tribune.com AD TsimShaTsuicarnival(DTI/Photomary416) FlagofPeople’sRepublicofChinaandHongKongSpecial Administrativeregion. (DTI/PhotoNormanChan) 3page 20 Avarietyofdimsuminbamboosteam.(DTI/PhotoSutsaiySangharn)