Introduction
Situated in the South Eastern corner of China, Hong Kong occupies an area of 11,104 square kilometers which is about 426 square miles. Most people, about 97% are Chinese and speak Cantonese and English, despite the fact that Mandarin is becoming more popular in the region of late (Henderson, 2002). The most common religions are Buddhism and Christianity. The main mode of communication used by tourism personnel and taxi drivers when communicating with tourists is English.
When we talk of cultural and historical value we realize it is a very important thing since people behavior pattern varies between different regions and distinct cultural background.In this paper we are going to look at whether the religions beliefs and behavior patterns of the people have negative or positive impacts on cultural tourism development in Hong Kong region. This implies that Hong Kong is seen as to be using its unique heritage in a time of transition and uncertainty to assist in defining a distinct identity that is partly expressed through tourism (Henderson, 2002).
The region since it has varied culture that is more than one religion and languages make it be in the fore front when it comes to cultural tourism development. The existence of a good number of entertainment features and heroes are some of factors that will be discussed in this paper. For example the Christmas festival performed by Christians in the region has highly attracted more and more tourists.
Despite the positive development the tourism industry is getting in Hong Kong, there are numerous problems which have hindered its rapid development. This paper therefore, tries to analyze the opportunities and barriers to tourism development in the region.
Aim
To analyze the cultural tourism development in Hong Kong region.
Objectives
- To investigate the cultural factors that has led to the development of cultural tourism in the region.
- To investigate how religion especially Christianity influences tourism development in the region.
- To analyze the cultural tourism development using PEST and SWOT analysis.
- To investigate impact of globalization on development of cultural tourism in Hong Kong.
Tourism, Traditions and Religion
The availability of different groups in the region makes Hong Kong to enjoy cultural tourism development over other countries in the region. In Hong Kong Religion is viewed as a vehicle for peace between people and nations. They advocate for peace and justice to prevail in the society. For instance, the region contains different religious groups such as Christianity, Buddhism, and Taoism. The role of religion in promoting cultural tourism development has been recognized on what happened in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack. In Christianity point of view, the incidence was termed as axis of evil and they reacted fiercely against it.
SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Christmas celebrations in Hong Kong attract many tourists in the region. Hong Kong is seen as a meeting place of various cultures that mix harmoniously with Chinese traditions and Exotic influences. Hong Kong also preserves traditional costums and the core values of Confucianism that have faded in Mainland China (Seaton and Bernett, 1996). Due to this practice there has been colorful festivals ranging from spring festival to Christmas. There are also luxury restaurants, street side food stalls which are known locally as dai pai dong, grand mansions and pent houses, tenements, office blocks, wooden boats and huge liners coupled with English in a variety of accents and multifarious Chinese dialects. All these have played a great role when it comes to promotion of cultural tourism.
Hong Kong City is also known worldwide for its modern movies and pop music. This has made it to enjoy worldwide recognition. Home of Kongfu heroes like the late Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, makes the city to enjoy fame as it continues to attract more and more ambitious world-be stars and entreneurs (Henderson, 2002).
Opportunities
Leisure and culture
Leisure and culture actually provide significant opportunities for the people of Hong Kong to enrich their quality of life.This has also been promoted by the government that has tried to provide a conducive environment in which freedom of credulity /pluralistic development of creative arts sporting activities and recreation for its community can thrive
Cultural and Leisure events
Hong Kong hosts variety of cultural and leisure events such as Hong Kong arts festival, Hong Kong international film festival, international arts carnival, thematic arts festival, Hong Kong flower show and traditional celebration programs. All these festival have been good in attracting tourists all over the world.
Photo Sporting Events
There are a number of sporting events held Hong Kong that attract tourists for examples the annual rugby sevens ,cricket sixes international horse races, lion dance, championships and volleyball challenges ,tennis squash, golf, cycling ,badminton and football.
Photo Traditional Festivals
There are around five major festivals in the Chinese calendar with its lunar year being the most important (Henderson, 2002). Gifts and visits are exchanged during such festival among friends and relatives where children receive ‘lucky money’. These activities attract tourism.Ching Ming Festival in spring has also been entertaining where ancestral graves are visited. The Dragon Boat Festival is also celebrated during early summer accompanied with dragon boat races and eating cooked glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo. These festivals have been very entertaining therefore contributing to cultural tourism development in Hong Kong.
PEST ANALYSIS
Hong Kong government has done a recommendable job in promoting cultural and creative tourism industries. For instance among the strategies that have been developed include people oriented development, respect for freedom of expression, protection of intellectual property, a community –driven approach supported by government and a holistic development programs (Henderson,2002). The government has tried so much to create an environment that is favorable to the vibrant development the culture and arts of his people.
Threats/barriers to development of cultural tourism in Hong Kong
Even though the region enjoys a lot of foreign exchange as a result of cultural tourism development, a number of problems have been experienced associated with its development. Since most of the tourists attracted come from Europe and America, the growth of the industry never faired on well the year 2002 as a result of September terrorist attack in 2001. The number of tourists traveling decreased because of fear of security. Most artists that have been responsible for developing a good movies and entertainment have also complained about the way the industry is operating. Intellectual property is something that needs to be protected in order to come up many entrepreneurs in the industry. Piracy and copying of other people ideas has been on the increase in the region.
Globalization has also led to the loss of indigenous cultures of the Hong Kong community. As much as the communities found in the Hong Kong want to preserve their indigenous culture, the emergence of global trade and commerce has greatly influenced its development. There has been a constant cultural bombardment coming from the western metropolis creating a lot of fears that the native traditions may get drawn or swept away (Seaton and Bernett, 1996). People will no longer observe culture since they will be interacting with foreigners from other parts of the world especially from Europe and United States. During interaction there may be borrowing of one another culture and at the same time interaction with different people may lead to erosion of culture.
Recommendation
ActuallyHongKong is a very interesting meeting place for East and West, blending Chinese heritage, British influences, high-tech modernity and Cantonese gusto. The area offers a great diversity of travel experiences from shopping to gourmet dining, country side pursuits and unique cultural heritage.(Henderson,2002).The region has also a great variety of religious institutions and preserved buildings such as colonial structures that significantly contribute in the promotion of cultural tourism development.
Conclusion
Cultural tourism development in Hong Kong has been boosted by a number of factors. In the whole of Asia and Europe there is nowhere one can find a more exciting beautiful surroundings associated with lively cultures. The Hong Kong Island has been viewed as center of economy, politics and entertainment. The varied diversity of religious groups of the people has promoted the development of cultural tourism. We have Christians and Buddhists forming the majority having different practices that attract tourists. For example the Christmas festivals conducted by Christians have attracted many tourists leading to the development of tourism industry. The use of common language when communicating with tourists which is English is also another factor that cannot be ignored.
The government has also played a major role in promoting sustainable development of cultural tourism. However despite the efforts that are being put to promote tourism there are threats faced that hinder the development of the Industry. Globalization which is on the increase is seen as a problem that may lead to erosion f the indigenous culture of the people. Security issues, which is associated with terrorism is also another factor that has led to the decline in the area. Tourism and development go together. So when addressing globalization as a threat, the government should be very careful.
References
Joan, C. Henderson (2002). Heritage attractions and tourism development in Asia: a Comparative study of Hong Kong and Singapore: International Journal of TourismResearch, 4 (5): 337-344.
Seaton, A. V. & Bernett, M (1996). Marketing Tourism Products: London: ITBV