The premature transfer of Mike Rowse, tourism commissioner,
to director-general, inward investment
(travelweeklyeast.com, June 16) is not a setback to the
industry, said executive director of the Hong Kong Tourist
Association, Amy Chan. This is because, she said, much work
had been done in the past 12 months to set the stage for
the new, tripartite relationship between government, the
HKTA and the private sector. An open recruitment is
underway for a new tourism commissioner. Asked if Selina
Chow, chairman of the HKTA, would be a possible candidate,
Chan said, "I don't think so. She's too busy with Legco
(Legislative Council)." Asked if she would apply for the
job, Chan said, "I am very happy with what I do. I don't
want to be Tourism Commissioner." The top-level change is
happening at the same time as staff changes within the
HKTA, which has led to speculation that a witch-hunt is
underway at the HKTA, with Chan its prime target. But Chan
dismissed the speculation, saying it was unfounded. Douglas
Gautier, deputy executive director since November 1997,
announced his resignation a couple of weeks ago, and will
leave by year end when his contract is up. He has yet to
make known his plans but it is believed the former Hill
& Knowlton executive will rejoin the private sector.
Stanley Yip, general manager-planning, research and
development, will be leaving to join Internet startup,
tom.com. "Stanley did 29 studies in three years under the
HK$15 million Tourism Development Fund - we could not have
asked more from him," said Chan. Carmen Lam, senior
manager-tourism, resigned to join Shangri-La Hotels &
Resorts as vice president-marketing based at the Island
Shangri-La. Peter Randall, public relations manager, "has
decided to outsource himself and he will be working with us
on some projects", said Chan. She stressed there was no
retrenchment exercise underway at the HKTA. "We may be
redefining roles, every organisation needs that." She said
it was also natural that organisations lose staff as Hong
Kong's economy was recovering "and I am glad people think
our staff are good enough for them". A search is underway
for replacements for all four positions. Stressing that the
changes were not taking place all at the same time, as had
been portrayed by some media, she said, "Change is not a
bad thing. It allows new people to bring in new ideas and
new experiences. I like to be more optimistic and positive.
I believe new blood and new thinking will be good to
balance the experience of the existing staff." Asked what
she thought about critics' comments that possibly new blood
was needed at the helm of HKTA, Chan said, "I am enriching
myself everyday. Maybe there will come a time when I have
to be changed. That's not unnatural. I've been doing this
for six years and I still am enjoying it. But if I don't
perform or I don't create or I can't lead the organisation,
then that's different."