The Hong Kong Tourism Board has introduced three new eco-oriented tours under the Hong Kong Nature Kaleidoscope Programme to tie in with the seasonal climate, providing visitors with more choices of ecologically friendly tour products.

New itineraries available for visitors include the wetland tours in Long Valley and Mai Po, as well as the re-packaged Northeast New Territories Islands Hopping Tour offered by the HKTB in collaboration with the travel trade.

Anthony Lau, executive director of the HKTB, said the Board has been actively encouraging the travel trade to launch eco-oriented tours so that visitors can explore the unique scenic spots and living culture in Hong Kong's countryside.

"To help sustain the continued development of tourism, the HKTB is working closely with travel trade in introducing more commercially-operated eco-oriented tours in the market under the Hong Kong Natural Kaleidoscope Programme," said Lau. "Our surveys reveal that the Programme has been very popular among visitors, which yields an overall rating of 7.9 marks (out of 10 marks). We are positively encouraged by the fact that all survey participants said they would recommend the tours to families and friends. The findings clearly underline the huge potential of eco-oriented tours."

New itineraries under the Programme are run by the local travel trade and different conservation groups, while the HKTB is responsible for promoting the tours. Organized by the Conservancy Association and led by their tour guides, the wetland tour in Long Valley enables visitors to see the largest freshwater wetland in its entirety. They can enjoy watching various migratory birds and visit such attractions as Hakka walled village and feng shui wood. Visitors can also see the largest paddy fields in Hong Kong. Another new itinerary is the wetland tour in Mai Po run by WWF Hong Kong. Visitors will be able to see the largest mangrove in Hong Kong and many rare species of birds during the tour.

Introduced initially by the HKTB in September 2006 for a six-month trial period, the Nature Kaleidoscope Programme was officially launched in April 2007. It offers visitors a diverse array of natural tourism products and experiences every day of the week, and features different guided tours throughout the year to tie in with the changing seasons. By thematically packaging the itineraries, the HKTB aims to reinforce Hong Kong's strength in eco tourism.

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