Research Korner

Dissertation on To Study The Impact of Individual Visit Scheme on H.K Tourism Industry

Chapter 1 The Problem and Its Background   In this chapter paper, the rationale, significance of the study, and scope and limitations of the study are presented. Moreover, the objectives of the study and the statement of the problem are formulated. Here, vital concepts, questions and assumptions are stated.   1.1 Rationale of the Study             Tourism is one of the recreational practices an individual undertakes. People who exercise tourism are called tourists. According to World Tourism (2005) due to the fact that tourism is now one of the most popular recreational activity of people all over the world, in the year 2004 around 763 million tourists arrive in various parts of the world. Tourism plays a vital and crucial role in the economy of any country because the income and profit that is being obtained by the utilisation of products and services of the tourists will generate taxes which can be levied to the government. In addition, tourism provides employment and aids in the development of the economy of the nation. According to Franklin (2000) tourism is not just a recreational and decorative activity but instead tourism correlates centrally to the modernity in numerous dimensions such as politics, moral, economical and technological.             In Hong Kong, tourism was regarded as one of the important sector of their economy. Actually, Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations in the world and the tourism industry is one of the most important aspects in the economy of Hong Kong.  According to the Tourism Commission of Hong Kong (2007) the industry held another record last 2006 in which more than 25 million tourists arrived in Hong Kong. In order to maintain the number of tourist arrivals in Hong Kong, the tourism department plans, develops, and audits the possible competitive destination.             Hong Kong government gave efforts to enhance their tourism industry.  Actually, Hong Kong created the Individual Visit Scheme in order to increase the number of tourist visitors. In Hong Kong tourism history, the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong from March to June 2003 resulted in a sharp drop in the number of both Mainland and overseas visitors and the creation of Individual Visit Scheme was designed to allow travelers from Mainland China to visit Hong Kong and Macau on an individual basis.   1.2 Aims and Objectives of the Study             While the background of the study gives information regarding tourism and Hong Kong, the research also needs to have its own aims and goals that must be followed for the completion of the study as well as the integration of the information that will be gathered based on the research questions. At the end of the study, there is the need to ensure that each of the objectives is met in order to guarantee that the study has managed to gain the information that can garner for the formulation of the conclusion.               As such, the objective of the study will be thus: <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> To be able to assess the current status of economy of Hong Kong.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> To assess the perception of the respondents regarding the current status of tourism industry in Hong Kong.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> To investigate and clarify the effect of Individual Visit Scheme on Hong Kong Tourism industry.</li>               In essence, this study aims to integrate all these information together and be able to assess their interrelationship and their relevance of their information. By integrating these information and coming up with a conclusions that will help with the information-exchange and thus may be the basis of other studies. Moreover, it may also be the bases of information that may be beneficial for other organisations in Hong Kong, especially with regards to the factors that the organisation may be find useful for its success. While this may not be the regular procedures that other organisations may take, it nevertheless may give other organisations a chance to build the foundation from which they may be able to push their organisation into a jumpstart, thus another objective of this study is to be able to provide true and useful information that may be used for other practical reasons and can be used for other reason as well as the improvement of the organisation or Hong Kong economy in the study itself.   1.3 Hypothesis In accordance to the objectives, this study seeks to test the hypothesis: “Hong Kong Individual visiting scheme has significant effect to Hong Kong tourism Industry.” The Hong Kong tourism is considered as one of the pillars of the stability of the country. And after the SARs attack in 2003 which directly hit the tourism industry, the Hong Kong economy becomes unstable. In addition, the efforts given by the Hong Kong Industry to strengthen their operation reflects to the satisfaction of the visitors.  If the tourist visitors are satisfied to the efforts given by the Hong Kong tourism, then it simply means that Hong Kong Tourism Industry is performing well. Actually, the scheme will greatly benefit Chinese residents in the mainland as well as the citizens of Hong Kong. However, nothing is perfect, Individual visiting scheme might increase the number of visitors in Hong Kong but when more and more people are going to Hong Kong, it is unavoidable that some mainland citizen abuse the opportunity.   1.4 Research Questions             The previously given discussion shows the general direction and aim of the study, as well as the purpose, however there is also the need for the researcher to elaborate some questions that will be enable to study to go into a certain direction, especially with regards to the nature of the problem being researched. The research questions will then serve as the guide for the researcher for the information that should be gathered from the sources as well as the methods in which they will be extracted from the sources.               As such, the following will be the research questions: <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> What is the status of Tourism Industry in Hong Kong?</li> With regards to the objectives of this study, this particular question will identify if the Tourism Industry in Hong Kong are performing well as viewed by the respondents. This will also reflect if the individual visiting scheme is significant to the changes in tourism industry of Hong Kong.   <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Do Individual Visit Scheme directly affect the condition of Hong Kong Tourism Industry?</li> As seen in the objectives of the study, this study will also identify if Individual Visit Scheme has positive and negative impact to their progress. This will also identify the significant effect of IVS to the changes in tourism industry of Hong Kong.   <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Is there any significant difference between the perceptions of respondents regarding Individual Visit Scheme of Hong Kong Tourism Industry with respect to their gender?</li> The objectives of this research paper also consider the perception of the respondents.  With this regard, the difference of perception in accordance to their gender will be assessed. 1.5 Significance of the Study This work will be a significant to tourism authorities and business in Hong Kong. The researcher believes that the tourism schemes will curb tourism problems and will benefit the tourism industry and Hong Kong businesses as well. Also, this study may provide insightful recommendations on the subject of environmental issues that may become useful contribution in the field of Hong Kong economic progress. Finally, this study may provide authentications on existing theories on consumer spending or at least provide generalizations that may also contribute in the academe field (e.g., students and researchers).   1.6 Scope and Limitations This research will only discuss issues involving the impact of Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong. However, related literature and studies cited for this study came from different parts of the globe so as to draw information about tourism, economic development, and SARS impact. Other countries with similar experience will also be cited and discussed briefly. The outcome of this study will be limited only to the data gathered from books and journals. As this study is specific to Hong Kong, a similar study on other underdeveloped countries is further suggested. Projected time period for the implementation of this study will be at least three to five months, or if possible, even shorter than three months, as long as all the objectives of the study have been met. This research work was limited financially due to other expenses and projects/activities outside this study. Time was limited, too, due to other obligations apart from the study.   Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature   This chapter will be discussing the findings of related research to this study. It will provide a discussion on the significance of this study to the existing literature. Moreover, this chapter will discuss several issues regarding Hong Kong development and tourism based on the existing literatures. The following discussion chronicles the subject of Individual Visit Scheme, tourism, and SARS.   2.1 Overview of Hong Kong Hong Kong is a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China (CIA World Fact Book, 2008). Being a SAR, Hong Kong enjoys a “one country, two systems” formula whereas China’s communists policies will not be imposed to it except defence and foreign relations matters (CIA World Fact Book, 2008). This system is effective for the next 50 years, which started in 1997 (CIA World Fact Book, 2006). According to Xiao et al (2002), the mid-year population of Hong Kong was approximately 6.5 million in 1997. The actual population growth rate between 1987 and 1997 was 1.5% per annum, and the latest projected growth rate for 1996-2016 is 1.3% per annum. The problem of Hong Kong, however, is the severe aging of its population. 15 to 64 years of age accounts to 72.2 percent of the population – a great gap to the 14.5 percent of the 0 to 14 years citizens (Xiao et al, 2002).             The legal system of Hong Kong is based on the English common law. By occupation, community and social services workers account for 18.8 percent. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 somehow upset the Hong Kong economy, but “a boom in tourism from the mainland because of China's easing of travel restrictions, and a return of consumer confidence resulted in the resumption of strong growth from late 2003 through 2005” (CIA World Fact Book, 2008).   2.2 Tourism Development Tourism development in the tourism literature is generally described as a mixed blessing. It can create new service jobs, provide people with greater income, and help develop the local infrastructure. Some communities have received significant economic gains from tourism development (Ortner 1999). Nevertheless, tourism can also have negative economic repercussions, especially when there are large numbers of tourists (Smith 1989). As indicated in the study of Freitag (1996), for example, demonstrates how tourism in the Dominican Republic brought an inflation of land and food prices, and Belisle (1983) argues that much of the potential profit from tourism in the Caribbean is "leaked" back to industrialized countries that export food for tourist consumption in hotels and resorts. Tourism development affects local cultures in multiple and complex ways. Cultural authenticity is compromised when performances are staged for tourists (Greenwood 1978) and when artistic objects are created with tourist interests in mind (Graburn 1976). For these authors, the commoditization of culture is equated with cultural loss. Cultural disruptions may also occur when there are wealth disparities between tourists and their hosts; members of a host community may begin to resent their relative poverty and seek ways to emulate the lifestyles of the tourists (McLaren 1998). Goering (1990) explains how this affects the Ladakhis of northern India: "By observing foreign tourists on vacation, the Ladakhis--the young Ladakhis in particular--easily come to believe that all Westerners are rich, that they work very little, and that the West is a paradise of consumer goods. Young people begin to despise the thinking of their parents and rush to embrace whatever is seen as modern." In sit            uations where there are also significant cultural differences between guests and hosts, tourism development can be humiliating for those who are sought by tourists for their "exotic" cultural practices. Similarly, visitors to Thailand wish to see the Padaung "giraffe women," whose necks are elongated by brass spirals (Mirante 1990). In both cases, the tourists photograph but rarely interact with the locals, who are made to feel like curiosities. Tourism has also been beneficial for local cultures. It is frequently associated with a revival of artistic traditions that were previously in decline, as well as the emergence of new forms of cultural expression. Zerner (1982), for example, describes how tourism has revitalized the production of several local crafts, including ikat textiles and wood carvings, in southern Sulawesi. Tourist interest in a local culture can also bring a greater sense of social solidarity and ethnic pride, as Borman (1999) reports for the Cofan of Ecuador. Swiss Alps villagers are proud of the folkloric displays produced by locals for both local and tourist consumption because they demonstrate regional contributions to the national culture (Bendix 1989). How tourism affects the environment also varies from case to case (Chambers 2000). McLaren (1998:89-90), a harsh critic of the tourism industry, argues that tourism development often "diverts resources (energy, land, and water) away from the local population" and "puts heavy stress on the environment, since tourist sites require reconstruction of the landscape and increased use of petroleum products and toxins such as chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides." In Nepal, locals have depleted wide tracts of forested land in order to accommodate the growing number of hikers who demand wood for cooking, hot showers, campfires, and building materials. Further, the Nepalese environment is polluted with trash left behind by them and mountain climbers (Puntenney 1990). Tourism-related pollution in Jamaica is destroying coral reefs and harming local fish populations (Olsen 1997). On the other hand, environmentally friendly tourism, or ecotourism, contributes to local and global awareness of environmental problems and can provide a lucrative alternative to the destructive uses of the environment, such as logging (Honey 1999). An unintended consequence of the host/guest dichotomy is that tourists are often portrayed as the primary agents of social change; i.e., the tourists themselves are responsible for bringing either positive or negative change to local communities. This line of reasoning implies that "good" tourists are culturally sensitive, socially responsible, and more likely to bring benefits to local communities, while "bad" tourists are only interested in superficial encounters with locals and do not care about the environmental consequences of their activities. Although there might be some truth to these assumptions, this approach downplays the agency of hosts and mediators. Members of destination communities often have some control over the local development of tourism (Mowforth and Munt 1998). Locals, for example, often seek jobs in the tourist industry. Young men in Barbados prefer low-paying service jobs in the tourist industry over stigmatized jobs as labourers in the sugar-cane fields (Gmelch and Gmelch 1997). Despite these realities, the anthropological literature on tourism tends to view host communities as relatively homogenous and often victimized. Mediators are those whose actions further the development of the tourist industry and/or shape the tourist experience. This includes government officials, tourism planners, travel agents, tour guides, and travel writers. Mediators are therefore a diverse group whose interests and agendas are sometimes in conflict with each other. These actors play a significant role in shaping touristic processes, yet their role has been largely neglected by anthropologists who have devoted much more attention to hosts and guests.   2.3 Effects of Tourism in the Host Countries Anthropologists and other social scientists began to publish substantial works on tourism during the latter half of the 1970s. Their interests were widespread in accordance with the nature of their academic subjects and that of the phenomena embraced within tourism. Further, as has been noted by Wilson (1993), they produced work which reflected 'prevailing sets of academic predispositions'. These sets of predispositions may be arranged into two groups, concentrating broadly on either symbolic cultural issues or socioeconomic issues. It is the purpose of this article to draw attention to socioeconomic issues, which have of late been relatively neglected, and integrate them into the contemporary examination of globalization. In contrast to the burgeoning research on symbolic cultural issues, work which deals primarily with socioeconomic issues has been decreasing, again reflecting the general trend within anthropology. The impact of tourism on communities became a preoccupation with anthropologists initially as a subsidiary to main research interests during the 1970s and later on became a central theme. Areas covered were broad, reflecting the diversity of interests, and case studies were usually isolated through lack of comparative material. This is apparent in the first major collection on the anthropology of tourism (Smith 1978), in which topics varied through marginal men, gender roles, cultural involution, cottage industries and tourism development. A number of key topics were notable: the modelling of tourist impact, the commoditization of culture and tourism as development. Modelling of tourism impact remains popular (Wilson 1993), and Smith's model boldly simplified a complex subject, albeit with a strong economic bias (Smith 1978). This is understandable given the quantifiable nature of economic data, but it denies anthropology's talent to reveal socio-cultural subtleties and hence produce a rounded picture of transformation. Greenwood's (1978) paper on the commoditization of culture has been very influential, despite his original fieldwork conclusions being challenged by other anthropologists. Culture as a commodity to be marketed is increasingly a subject for study and pervades many areas of research as noted above. It is the issue of development which became the primary concern during the 1970s for those interested in the socioeconomic impacts of tourism (Gavira 1974), especially the role it played in what has been termed the 'Third World', a trend which is exemplified in de Kadt (1976). Tourism and development has continued as a central theme and diversified into related areas, including policymaking, politics and practice in rural communities (Bouquet & Winter 1987), economics and environment in South East Asia (Hitchcock et al. 1993) and regional development in the Mediterranean (Fsadni & Selwyn 1996). Characterized by regional case studies and micro-economic research, few anthropological inquiries into tourism have invoked macro-processes as fundamental generators. Nash (1996) saw tourism as a form of imperialism, with metropolitan centres providing tourists and creating the service economy overseas, thereby emphasizing the link between tourism and industrialization. His is an evolutionary model, modernistic and decidedly problematic due to its inability to take tourist diversity seriously and its lack of engagement with political economy. More typical of the anthropological approach of regionally-focused ethnography is Crick (1994), in his examination of micro-economic activity, observed with great cultural sensitivity. The important differences between types of tourists, their varied impacts and relationships with the host community as well as historical factors, are well conveyed. Despite their breadth of interest, none of the above works has sought to situate tourism firmly within the broad process of globalization. Contemporary tourism is gainfully perceived as being one element of the larger process of globalization and should be approached as such by scholars, and equally, students of globalization would do well to pay attention to work on tourism. Appadurai (1990) describes globalization in terms of global flows, which he labels with the suffix 'scape', for example ethnoscapes, ideoscapes, mediascapes. It is reasonable to predict that an inhabitant of a region which is now part of such 'scapes' will have access to and experience of new ethnicities, ideas and media. In this sense tourism is a prime example of a process deeply embedded in global flows: it involves people travelling to distant locations, interacting with different cultures; it utilizes the technologies of the West which embrace the globe; it encourages the spread of financial and economic markets; it supports and is supported by a huge media and advertising industry; it facilitates the communication of ideas between people of different cultural backgrounds. Appadurai (1990) recognizes tourism as an aspect of globalisation, as do Ekholm-Friedman and Friedman (1995), Lash and Urry (1994) and Cheater (1995), who see it as the fastest-growing industry in the world and a major influence on world affairs, 'socio-political as well as financial and ecological'. Tourism is the epitome of global flows - the free movement of people around the globe, carriers of cultural capital, users of technological networks, transmitters of cross-cultural ideas; in fact, the tourist personifies globalization and is an appropriate symbol of late twentieth-century consumer culture. Behind this rhetoric is the reasoning that tourism, in the context of globalization, is part of the world-system and its historical development. Its roots run deeper than the twentieth century (Turner & Ash 1975), it is culturally determined and is a fitting metaphor for the consumer lifestyle of today's capitalist economies. Anthropologists need to recognize the historical and cultural importance of tourism in the broader context of Western society and its experience, and perceive it as a crucial dimension of the globalizing trend of capital-driven consumer culture: otherwise they risk isolating tourism from the broader processes which scholars of globalization are dealing with.   2.4 Tourism as Business in Hong Kong             Hong Kong’s identity as one of the most promising and vibrant tourist destination in the world is uncontested. It projects an aura of opulence, efficiency, and high-tech competence (Kwong & Miscevic 2002). Hong Kong had many unique competitive advantages such as the hardware and software required of a world-class city, including keen business acumen, well-developed infrastructure, versatile financial system, robust legal institutions, policies conducive to a free and open society, clean and efficient civil service, simple and low tax, large pool of talent and very cosmopolitan community (Hwa 2003). Because of its abundance in several attractions, tourists flock their way to experience Hong Kong’s magnificence and top offers. Offerings for visitors of the region range from various to rich assortment of food, entertainment, culture and lifestyle. Hong Kong locates in a favourable geographic location in the centre point of Asia Pacific region with a minimum 5-hour fly reaching most of the areas worldwide. With the support of region’s hardware, events tourism thrives on this piece of land – commercial, social, cultural, educational in nature are present in this venue.     In 2006, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) works its way to promote the region as “Events Capital” of Asia. There are several ways being studied, designed and implemented to realize such vision. The primary responsibilities of HKTB are to market and promote HK as a destination worldwide, as well as to take initiatives to enhance the experiences of its visitors once they have arrived. Its mission is to maximise the social and economic contribution that tourism makes to the community of Hong Kong, and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as a unique, world class and most desired destination (HKTB 2006). The existence of the developmental action plans, policies, and programmes to promote Hong Kong as a top tourist destination is evident. With this known fact, there is a wide assortment of information that documented the efforts of developing its tourism planning and economy.   2.5 Individual Visit Scheme and Hong Kong Tourism Businesses             Tourism industry is one of the main assets of Hong Kong Government.  Without this industry, Hong Kong would possibly have difficulties in maintaining their competitiveness.  Basically, the establishment of Individual Visit Scheme was designed to augment the number of tourist visitors in Hong Kong and Macau.   The need of this scheme was due to the SARS attack happened in 2003.  That attack shakes the Hong Kong tourism industry which is actually threatening the economy of Hong Kong and Macau. The main motive for devising the Individual Visit Scheme was to enhance the economy of Hong Kong and Macau. At the initial stage of the scheme, there are only selected China’s provinces that could apply for visas to visit Hong Kong individually i.e. Beijing, Shanghai, and 8 Guangdong provincial cities (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2008).            However, in July 2004, the scheme was extended to all 21 cities of Guangdong and to 9 other cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2008).             With this regard, the Individual Visit Scheme for Mainland residents to visit Hong Kong has gone a long way towards boosting the local retail and job markets. In 2005, Hong Kong received a total of 4.2 million Mainland visitors under the Scheme, bringing additional tourism receipts of around $6.5 billion (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2008).             Though an external shock (i.e., SARS) was held largely responsible for the declining income in tourism-related sectors in the first half of 2003, the rising turnover in the tourism industry could not do much to pull the local sectors out of the slump (People's Daily 2006). In 2004 and 2005, aggregate spending of non-residents on local accommodations and other tourism services had been going up as a result of the Chinese government's permission to significantly increase the quota for Mainland residents to visit Hong Kong and Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme policy (People's Daily 2006). Real growth in these sectors however, is still far behind the performance of the tourism industry. In the long run, it is even anticipated that as the scale of the tourism industry expands, business prospects of some local sectors may shrink. Today, companies within and outside the tourism industry are striving to deliver not only their products and services but also high or even world class quality and satisfaction that will lead to increased customer loyalty and market share. The significance of customer satisfaction and relationship with service quality, occupancy rate and profitability has long been exhorted by both management experts and researchers in the tourism field (Callan 1994 and Gundersen, Heide, & Olsson 1996). The positioning in the Hong Kong’s tourism industry propelled marketing managers to build brand image for their names in order to create loyalty among customers and not to become reliant to Individual Visit Scheme policy. However, in line with this boosted brand-building initiative, organizations must address many issues to create brand loyalty among customers and improve its position. On this case, organizations in  the tourism business requires a massive amount of skill in specialized marketing that includes establishing sales quotas and maintaining relationships with tourists, local agents, corporate tour and even travel departments of major corporations, and more. Also, other external issues affect the company’s marketing operations such the emergence of the dreaded disease Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). It is perceived that the sudden onset of this disease among the Asian countries caused significant damages to the economic environment. As one of the most visited tourist destination in Asia, the active role of Hong Kong as one of the economic drivers is acknowledge. With the emergence of various occurrences like the unexpected incident of SARS, the operations and market status particularly on the clientele aspect is affected. To address such, the management designs strategic plans that aim to bring back the prestige and ‘normal’ business processes of the tourism businesses. Meanwhile, SARS, according to World Health Organization (WHO 2004) is a disease characterized by atypical pneumonia caused by the SARS corona virus (SARS CoV). In 2003, Hong Kong's economy was hurt by measures undertaken to control the outbreak of SARS, which spread there from China. Hong Kong's SARS epidemic is closely connected to its complex systems of mobility as a tourist centre and, at the same time, as a global-gateway city (Sassen 2001; Sum 1999). Its rapid spread from Southern China to Hong Kong and thereafter to 30 other countries was related to the mobility and transnational travel of these actors. According to Sheller and Urry (2004), WHO recommended on 27 March 2003 that all areas with recent local transmission should screen every international departing passenger to ensure that those who were sick with SARS, or in contact with SARS cases, do not travel. Following that order, a travel compliance memorandum was issued on 2 April 2003 to warn those who intend to visit Hong Kong and recommended the deferment of all (except for essential) trips. These orders are done in order to minimize the international spread of SARS. These warnings also began to stigmatize Hong Kong as a 'no-go area' (Sheller & Urry 2004). The Hong Kong Tourism Commission (HKTC) recorded a vast drop of visitor arrivals between April and June 2003. With this fact alone, the operations of most tourism businesses were relatively and extensively affected. Basically, the Hong Kong Tourism industry was comprises of numerous tangible and intangible components. The SARS event constituted a watershed incident for the theme and amusement park business and tourism industry in general. Certainly, SARS has impacted on the marketing operations of the tourism, entertainment, transportation, commerce and other industries (Bi 2003). Thus, the disease has slowed down entire sectors of the Hong Kong economy and threatened long-term development goals. To address the challenge of SARS, the management of every tourism businesses structured their individual strategies to do away with the adverse effects of the disease. Some tourism organisations implemented various marketing and management scheme, communications, and risk management plans to save the whole organization.   2.6 Tourism and SARS in Hong Kong     Much has been written and documented in the subject of SARS. Research studies vary from medical, economic, sociological, political, industrial, consumer, and business perspectives. Generally, a comprehensive authoritative guide for managing crises and disasters in tourism risk management for the Asia Pacific region was provided by Wilks and Moore (n.d.). Lau and colleagues (2005) have conducted a research study on the SARS-related perceptions in Hong Kong. Lee (2003) wrote an inclusive literature of the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong while Wilder-Smith (2005) discussed pertinent factors about SARS and its effects in relation to public health. Wilder-Smith enumerated the peculiarities of the disease like its novelty, ease of transmission in certain settings, and the swiftness of its spread through plane travel, joint with extensive media coverage; psychological impacts; international travel policies released by authorities; governments’ and press’ role in fair and balance communication and risk management; pre-departure screening in airports; screening and infection control capacities at points of entry into the healthcare system; and others. Incorporated in the research body are lessons learned during the outbreak and its effects on the overall scope of international travel.     Meanwhile, Curley and Thomas (2004) reviewed the spread and impact of the SARS virus within Southeast Asia from a human security perspective. It is intended that the utilisation of human security in this instance will not only provide a better understanding of the impact of SARS on regional states but will also advance the conceptualisation of the human security model (Curley & Thomas 2004). Several empirical research studies conducted are bounded on the economic aspect. Lee and McKibbin (2004) provided an assessment of the global economic impacts of SARS and a more comprehensive approach to estimating the global consequences of major disease outbreaks using the a global model called the G-Cubed (Asia Pacific) model. Specifically, Siu and Wong (2004) focused on the economic impact of SARS in Hong Kong wherein the chronologies of SARS as the first deadly infectious disease of the 21st century – its spread in Hong Kong, number of cases, and affected regions. Also, demand and supply side is discussed.     In relation to tourism industry, numerous research articles are published. Pine and McKercher (2004) made a case study on the impact of SARS on Hong Kong’s tourism industry, with special attention given to the chronological arrangement of critical SARS-related events. Their findings affirmed that the epidemic had brought out negatively profound impact not only in Hong Kong but also to world tourism particularly strong impacts on Southeast Asian countries. Dombey (2004) evaluated the effects of SARS on the Chinese tourism and hotel industry – from Mainland China and territories like Hong Kong and Macau. Findings avowed that the overall effect of SARS to the Chinese economy is relatively minimal yet Dombey reiterated that the main lessons are deemed to be social and political in applications. Au, Ramasamy, and Yeung (2005) also assessed the effects of SARS on Hong Kong tourism industry as they give an empirical evaluation of extensive body of knowledge on the pervasive effects of the disease to almost all industries related to hospitality, travel and tourism. McKercher and Chon (2004) expounded on the overreaction to SARS and eventual collapse of Asian tourism. They evaluated sensationalism brought about by various channels of communication (e.g. media) and provided significant facts about the real nature of the condition.     Other related studies on the effects of SARS in the tourism industry fall in the subject of consumers and their behaviours, and marketing management conditions. Kolsaker, Lee-Kelley and Choy (2004) explored consumers’ perspective in their research wherein they discussed the reluctance of Hong Kong consumers in purchasing travel online due to issues like privacy, security and poor customer service, time savings, site usability and information provision. Other consumer-based researches are mainly focused on consumer satisfaction and other related issues. Lau and colleagues (2004) investigated the patterns of behaviours and attitudes related to SARS prevention in Hong Kong’s cross border traveller population using the survey method. They found out several practises done by the respondents surveyed as follows: ü    Around 40% of the respondents were using masks all or most of the time in public places or washing their hands frequently (>10 times per day) and about one third avoided visiting crowded places in mainland China. ü    Around 70% of the travellers would have delayed medical consultation for influenza-like illness in China; 12.7% would not wear masks during such episodes of illness. ü    About 30% of the respondents used to wear masks in Hong Kong but not in mainland China. ü    Gender differences were also observed.               Lastly, Tan and Enderwick (2006) examined the impact that SARS on the marketing management functions using the case study method. They provided recommendations for how uncertainty may be managed in increasingly ‘globalized’ world while aspects of strategic and risk-management, supply-chain management and corporate strategy, and planning are extensively discussed. Records from WHO (2004) stated that SARS outbreak in the 2002-2003 only resulted in 774 deaths. Together with weak domestic demand conditions, it resulted in low growth in parts of East and Southeast Asia (such as Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong) (ADB 2004). Generally, the outbreak of SARS directly and indirectly affected various industries of Hong Kong and the world. In this context, marketing activities prove to be necessary in creation of destination image and attraction and maintenance of profitable customers. These activities start with management of tourist destination, including infrastructure, environment and natural attractions, development of specific strategies and investments, segmenting and monitoring the tourist market, communication with tourist market, and organization and management of tourism marketing (Kotler et al. 1996).   2.7 Synthesis of Literature Review Based on the literature and in the context of the study, incoming tourists and immigrants from the Mainland to Hong Kong play significant impact to the progress of the tourism industry of Hong Kong as well as their economy. With this consideration, the Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong as a tool to counter the declining number of tourist visits due to the effect of SARS attack in 2002-2003 is effective. Actually, the Individual Visit Scheme increased the number of tourist visitors in Hong Kong.  However, the increase of tourists and immigrants in Hong Kong created not only positive results but also some drawbacks. Given the negative impact of tourism such as the increasing number of crimes committed by both locals and tourists, Hong Kong officials still continue to encourage the entry of tourist mainly because of several reasons. First, the potential for tourism to generate foreign currency is important, all the more so in states which have artificial or controlled exchange rates, or which are, often as a result, suffering balance of payments problems. Second is the fact that tourism is labour intensive, and creates employment throughout the economy; tourists spend money on hotels, transport, and meals, but also on a wide variety of goods and services. Third is the fact that the tourism industry does not, on the whole, require expensive or complex technology or a highly skilled workforce. With the exception of a small number of complex projects such as operating an airline, investment in tourism is not comparatively expensive, and will often return a profit reasonably quickly. Finally, many states already have in place the basic and most important requirements for the development of the tourism sector; a pleasant climate, attractive scenery, historical sites, and friendly people. In other words, governments often feel that their state possesses an untapped economic resource, and decide to take advantage of it.        Chapter 3 Methods and Procedures   This chapter will be dedicated to the description of the methods and procedures done in order to obtain the data, how they will be analyzed, interpreted, and how the conclusion will be met. This section is to justify the means in which the study was obtained and will help in giving it purpose and strength as it will then be truthful and analytical. All these will help in the processing of the data and the formulation of conclusions.             Specifically, this research will cover the following: the research design and method, the respondents or subjects to be studied (which will include the sampling method), the data collection instrument, and the data analysis. These will be presented below.   3.1 Research Design             The research design chosen both qualitative and quantitative research, which uses explanatory methods in describing the variables wherein the data, situations, or other facts collected will be explained or correlated with other data. It is especially useful when conducting a study wherein the data are immeasurable, such as feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and others (Mays & Pope, 2000). Furthermore, the study will be descriptive as it will focus on the conditions set and the nature that surrounds the data and does not focus on the correlation with other collected facts. 3.2 The Respondents             The researcher, in choosing subjects or respondents for the topic at hand, is usually thought of to have the power over who the respondents of the study will be. Such a task would have been easier, except a researcher cannot simply choose out of whim; the subjects must be selected carefully with the intention of having subjects who each posses characteristics that, when put together, will represent a community. It is not only themselves, whom these subjects will represent, but the bigger whole or the whole population. The characteristics which the researcher has chosen them for will determine which part of the community they belong and what part of the community they are representing. Thus, the choosing of the subjects must be based on their characteristics.             In this study, it is necessary to collect information from Hong Kong Tourism’s clients.   3.3 Data Collection Instrument             In order to obtain the desired data, the researcher has chosen to use the primary research data, which is to collect firsthand the data to be used for the outcome of the research. In able to do this, the researcher must have a data collection instrument to be presented to the respondents. Thus, the researchers have chosen obtaining data through the questionnaire. The questionnaire is administered by writing questions on a page and distributing it to the respondents, expecting them to return the paper with their answers on it. This is easier than other methods of data-collection (e.g., interview, observation, etc.) as particular details may be hard to talk about during interviews and cannot be drawn out from observation.             The advantage of using the questionnaires method is that the respondents have time to think of their answers, thus allowing smaller rate of errors. Also, concerning delicate matters, the respondents may feel more at ease when answering questionnaires as they are not required to speak with someone else in order to give information. The disadvantage of the questionnaire method is when the respondents are unable to read or write; then the questionnaire will be rendered useless by the respondents as they may need interpreters for the questionnaires. Thus, in case such that unlikely event may happen, then the researcher will have no choice but to quickly switch to the interview method, wherein the researcher will be allowed to interact with the respondent and ask the questions based on the prepared questionnaire.   3.4 Instruments to be Used To determine the perception of the respondents about the status of Individual Visit Scheme and Hong Kong Tourism, the researcher prepared a survey-questionnaire. The respondents graded each statement in the survey-questionnaire using a Likert scale with a five-response scale wherein respondents were given five response choices (Creswell, JW 1994). The equivalent weights for the answers were: Range                                                Interpretation             4.50 – 5.00                                        Strongly Agree 3.50 – 4.49                                        Agree 2.50 – 3.49                                        Uncertain 1.50 – 2.49                                        Disagree          0.00 – 1.49                                        Strongly Disagree   The decision was made to use a questionnaire for the data collection for this project due to the sensitivity of the information being obtained.  It is important for the respondents to be open and honest in their responses. The use of the questionnaire provides the project owner with the ability to test the views and attitudes of the respondents. The questionnaire was designed to allow the collection of specific information about the participants to conduct statistical analysis, e.g. age, gender, and social status.   3.5 Data Analysis             In order to correctly interpret the data in such a way that its result will reflect what the study originally intends to show then the researcher must employ the correct and accurate way of data analysis.             Moreover, simple statistics can be done and applied, and it will be easier to determine the status of the perception of the respondents regarding Individual Visit Scheme and Hong Kong Tourism.   3.6 Summary of Action             As stated in this chapter, the researcher undergoes stages. In the research design, the researcher collected secondary data and formulated and developed the questionnaire. In this stage, these instruments were subjected to approval and validation. During the data collection, the researcher collated and summarized the data obtained from the Hong Kong development reports, questionnaire and survey. The researcher analyzed these data and from these, findings and recommendations were presented.   Chapter 4 Presentation, Interpretation and Data Analysis   4.1 Introduction In this chapter, the data gathered from the tourism clients of Hong Kong in relation to the research objectives.  This chapter discusses the result of the semi-structured questionnaire responded by 102 participants. Before the initiation of the research study the significance, rationale and purpose of the study were provided respondents. Furthermore, the respondents have also been given the assurance that all the data they will give are used for the purpose of the research and the identities of the respondents will be confidential. The object is to to be able to assess the current status of economy of Hong Kong, to assess the perception of the respondents regarding the current status of tourism industry in Hong Kong and to investigate and clarify the effect of Individual Visit Scheme on Hong Kong Tourism industry.             The conduct of this study entails a detailed account of the demographic profile of the respondents.  It is assumed that the attributes of the respondents influence their behavior and answers on the survey questions.  Of particular significance to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the study – which is to be an instrument of analysis of the institution to gauge where it is now and where it is heading, thus what changes are to be made – is to be able to answer the research questions. 4.2 Part 1: Demographic Profile             This part will discuss the demographic profile of 102 individuals who answered the survey questionnaire sent by the research. The description of the respondents includes their gender, age, educational background, occupation, and types of employment.   Frequency Table 1       Figure 1               The figure above presents the distribution and frequency in terms of the age of the participants. Herein, it shows that 35 (33%) of the total respondents are 51 above and 24% belongs to 31-35 and 16 (16%) belongs to 46 to 50. this means that most of the tourists which have been included in this research are adults who are more experienced when it comes to travelling. Frequency Table 2         Figure 2     Figure 2 shows the distribution of the tourists who participated in the study in terms of gender. Herein, it shows that 88(86%) were male and 14(14%) were female. This may indicate that males are more interested to participate in survey and researches than women. Frequency Table 3           Figure 3               The figure above displays the educational attainment of the respondents of this study. The data gathered revealed that 66 (64%) out of 102 respondents are graduate and 19 (19%) are post graduate. Only 17% of the respondents have not been able to finish their studies. This could indicate that the respondents chosen in this research have a good education which may help them understand more the issue and objective of the study. Frequency Table 4     Figure 4             The figure above presents the types of employment/service where the participants belong. Herein, it shows that half of the respondents 52% are working at government agencies and department while the other 50% are working at MNC and private employment. Such result shows that each of the group has an equal representation for this study.   Frequency Table5     Figure 5               The frequency table and the figure above show the distribution of the Hong Kong tourism clients in terms of the civil status. Based on the analysis, Most of the tourists are already married which comprises 64% (66) out of 102 respondents. On one hand, 19% of the tourists are widow/widower and 15% are single. This could indicate that most of the tourists who are visiting Hong Kong are mature enough.   4.3 Part 2: Perception of the Respondents             This part of the paper will discuss and analyze the perception of 102 respondents who participated in this study. The discussion will focus on the Hong Kong tourism.  This part will include the discussion and analysis of the perception of the respondents with regards to the impact of HK Tourism to their economic stability, towards individuals and their views about Hong Kong tourism     Table 1 Impact of Hong Kong Tourism Industry To their Economic Stability Statements 5 SA 4 A 2 U 2 D 1 SD Weighted Mean Interpretation <li class="MsoNormal"> Hong Kong Tourism businesses were severely affected by SARS that causes significant damage to Hong Kong Economy.</li> 63 20 5 7 7 4.23 Agree   <li class="MsoNormal"> Hong Kong Tourism is important to the stability of the economic condition of Hong Kong.</li> 98 4 0 0 0 4.96 Strongly Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> Tourism in Hong Kong enables the country to be known in the international market which in turn affects their economic status.</li> 63 20 5 7 7 4.23 Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme has both long-term and short-term effects to Hong Kong.</li> 61 31 5 3 2 4.43 Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The increase in the number of Mainland tourists has some benefits the economy of Hong Kong and may demonstrate that the economy is on an upward track.</li> 93 9 0 0 0 4.91 Strongly Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme helps the Hong Kong economy to recover from SARS attack.</li> 21 35 0 31 15 3.16 Undecided                 The table above shows the perception of the chosen tourism clients with regards to the impact of HK tourism Industry to their economic stability. The table shows that the answers of the respondents range from undecided to strongly agree.  The respondents were perceived to be undecided in identifying if the Individual Visit Scheme helps the Hong Kong economy to recover from SARS attack. On one hand, the respondents have agreed that HK tourism businesses were severely affected by SARS which causes significant damage to HK Economy. Most of them also agreed that tourism in Hong Kong enables the country to be known in the international market which in turn affects their economic status and that individual Visit Scheme has both long-term and short-term effects to Hong Kong. Lastly, the respondents strongly agreed that Hong Kong Tourism businesses were severely affected by SARS that causes significant damage to Hong Kong Economy.   Table 2 Perception towards Individual Visit Scheme Statements 5 SA 4 A 2 U 2 D 1 SD Weighted Mean Interpretation <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Hong Kong’s Individual Visit Scheme is an excellent approach to counter decreasing number of tourist visitors due to the attack of SARS in 2003.</li> 58 44 0 0 0 4.57 Strongly Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> With regards to the threat of SARS in Hong Kong, the creation of Individual Visit Scheme augments the number of visitors in Hong Kong and Macau.</li> 38 44 0 18 2 3.96 Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong’s non-tourism businesses.</li> 21 35 0 31 15 3.16 Undecided   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> As a result of these global threats, the number of visitors and tourists who visited Hong Kong tourist destinations decreased thus, Individual Visit Scheme is necessary.</li> 61 31 5 3 2 4.43 Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme helps encourage visitors to Hong Kong.</li> 93 9 0 0 0 4.91 Strongly Agree                 Table 2 presents the perception of the respondents with regards to their perception towards the context of individual visit scheme.  The answers of the respondents range from undecided to strongly agree. The respondents strongly agreed that the Hong Kong’s Individual Visit Scheme is an excellent approach to counter decreasing number of tourist visitors due to the attack of SARS in 2003 and the Individual Visit Scheme helps encourage visitors to Hong Kong. On one hand, they agreed that with regards to the threat of SARS in Hong Kong, the creation of Individual Visit Scheme augments the number of visitors in Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, they also agreed that as a result of these global threats, the number of visitors and tourists who visited Hong Kong tourist destinations decreased thus, Individual Visit Scheme is necessary.  However, the tourism clients were undecided if the Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong’s non-tourism businesses.   Table 3 Perception towards Hong Kong Tourism Statements 5 SA 4 A 2 U 2 D 1 SD Weighted Mean Interpretation <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> With respect to the Individual Visit Scheme, the Hong Kong Tourism is continuously growing.</li> 78 24 0 0 0 4.76 Strongly Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> I am satisfied to the current efforts of the tourism industry in enhancing their operation.</li> 93 9 0 0 0 4.91 Strongly Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong Tourism Industry because it also shows improvement of services.</li> 69 33 0 0 0 4.68 Strongly Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> At the time of SARS attack in 2003, competition in Hong Kong Tourism industry was no longer stiff during the outbreak of the disease growing worldwide but the efforts of Hong Kong Tourism industry put back their composure.</li> 61 31 5 3 2 4.43 Agree   <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Hong Kong Tourism Industry was performing well.</li> 89 13 0 0 0 4.87 Strongly Agree                 The table above shows the perception of the respondents with regards to Hong Kong Tourism industry. The answers of the respondents resulted to agree and strongly agree perception. Majority of the respondents agreed that at the time of SARS attack in 2003, competition in Hong Kong Tourism industry was no longer stiff during the outbreak of the disease growing worldwide, but the efforts of Hong Kong Tourism industry put back their composure. On the other hand, the respondents strongly agreed that with respect to the Individual Visit Scheme, the Hong Kong Tourism is continuously growing and they strongly agreed that the respondents are satisfied to the current efforts of the tourism industry in enhancing their operation. In addition, the tourism clients also strongly agreed that the Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong Tourism Industry because it also shows improvement of services and majority of them believed that Hong Kong industry is performing well. 4.4 Analysis of Hong Kong tourism through SWOT analysis             This part of the analysis will provide the discussion of the assessment of Individual Visit Scheme through the use of SWOT analysis.             Strength:             The strengths of the Hong Kong Tourism include: ·         High Potentials for tourism growth and development ·         Availability of entertaining and highly modified tourism facilities to suit the needs and demands of the tourists ·         Policy and provision initiatives in line with tourism individual visit scheme by the local government ·         Capabilities to incorporate relaxing and entertainment to meet the changing needs of the tourists. ·         Intensive focus on tourism industry development and upgrading. ·         Ability to enhance job market condition of Hong Kong.   Weaknesses             The weaknesses of the Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong include: ·         Incontrollable factors that can affect individual preferences for local Hong Kongans. ·         Huge number of workforce which may result on high labor cost.   Threats:             The following are the threats of Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong: ·         Strict and meticulous internationals standards for tourism industry ·         The continuous criticisms other institutions against the initiation of Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong ·         The rise of other tourism projects in neighbouring countries in Asia.   Opportunities             The following are the opportunities of Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong: ·         Rising potential of the tourism industry in the global market. ·         Growing awareness of the positive impact of Individual Visit Scheme concept ·         Use of advanced facilities to meet the needs of the local and international tourists.    Chapter 5 Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations   5.1 Summary This part of the study will provide the discussion of the conclusion and recommendation based on the results presented in the previous chapters. The focus of the study is to determine in detail the researcher’s findings on the analysis of the Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong, its benefits and advantages in terms of economy of the country and the perception of the tourism clients with regards to Hong Kong Tourism. Specifically, the study will focus on evaluating Individual Visit Scheme through the use swot analysis.         As noted, the research study was conducted through the use of semi-structured questionnaire provide to 102 tourism clients chosen in this study. Base on the data gathered and analysed, it has been found that the most of the respondents agreed that Individual Visit Scheme have effects on the performance of the Hong Kong tourism Industry. The first part of the questionnaire attempts to determine the demographic profile of the participants of the study.  Herein, the data revealed that most of the respondents are 51 years above and 24% belongs to the age group of 31-35.  the result indicates that most of the tourists which have been included in this research are adults who are more experienced when it comes to travelling. In terms of gender the distribution of the tourists who participated have shown that hat 88(86%) were male and 14(14%) were female indicating that male tourists are more willing to participate in researches than women. In line with educational attainment, it shows that 66 (64%) out of 102 respondents are graduate and 19 (19%) are post graduate. Only 17% of the respondents have not been able to finish their studies which mean that most of the tourists in Hong Kong have good educational background. In terms of employment, most of the tourists can be considered as government employees comprising 52% while the other 50% are working at MNC and private employment.  Based on the analysis, Most of the tourists are already married which comprises 64% (66) out of 102 respondents. On one hand, 19% of the tourists are widow/widower and 15% are single. This could indicate that most of the tourists who are visiting Hong Kong are mature enough. One of the aims of this study is to know the current status of the Hong Kong economy in line with the performance of the Hong Kong Tourism. Based on the gathered data through the use of the survey questionnaire, it can be said that majority of the respondents were undecided in determining if the Individual Visit Scheme helps the Hong Kong economy to recover from SARS attack as SARS is considered as one of the main factors that affects the tourism industry of the country. Most of the tourism clients chosen in the study have agreed that HK tourism businesses were severely affected by SARS which causes significant damage to HK Economy and in addition, most of them also agreed that tourism in Hong Kong enables the country to be known in the international market which in turn affects their economic status. They have perceived that individual Visit Scheme has both long-term and short-term effects to Hong Kong. and they strongly believed that Hong Kong Tourism businesses were severely affected by SARS that causes significant damage to Hong Kong Economy. In this regard, it can be said that Hong Kong economic stability is stable because their tourism industry is stable as well. Another aim of this paper is to determine the perception of the respondents with regards to their perception towards the context of individual visit scheme.  The answers of the respondents range from undecided to strongly agree. Majority of the tourism clients in this research strongly agreed that the Hong Kong’s Individual Visit Scheme is an excellent approach to counter decreasing number of tourist visitors due to the attack of SARS in 2003 and the Individual Visit Scheme helps encourage visitors to Hong Kong. On one hand, they agreed that with regards to the threat of SARS in Hong Kong, the creation of Individual Visit Scheme augments the number of visitors in Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, they also agreed that as a result of these global threats, the number of visitors and tourists who visited Hong Kong tourist destinations decreased thus, Individual Visit Scheme is necessary.  However, the tourism clients were undecided if the Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong’s non-tourism businesses.             Another objective of this research is to know the perception of the respondents or tourism clients with regards to the Hong Kong tourism industry. The data gathered have revealed that majority of the respondents agreed that at the time of SARS attack in 2003, competition in Hong Kong Tourism industry was no longer stiff during the outbreak of the disease growing worldwide, but the efforts of Hong Kong Tourism industry has been able to sustain the tourism industry. In addition, tourism clients responded that they strongly agreed that with respect to the Individual Visit Scheme, the Hong Kong Tourism is continuously growing and they strongly agreed that the respondents are satisfied to the current efforts of the tourism industry in enhancing their operation. The data analysis have noted that the Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong Tourism Industry because it also shows improvement of services and majority of them believed that Hong Kong industry is performing well. The study also revealed that individual visit scheme has some strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities upon its initiation and that individual visit scheme has a competitive rival in the global market specifically in terms of tourism and gaming elements.   5.2 Conclusions The primary source of data comes from a questionnaire that has been distributed to the respondents from the tourism clients of Hong Kong. Their cooperation was fervently soughed after and its descriptive and statistical analysis was undertaken by the researcher through the descriptive research method that uses observation and surveys and the correlational statistics. Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concludes the following:   1.     The respondents who took part in this study are already mature in age, responsible and reliable. The respondents understand the purpose of the research and provide answers to the queries voluntarily. 2.     The study identified that the individual visit scheme has a significant effect on the Hong Kong Tourism industry development.   3.     The research have discovered that based on the analysis, it can be said that most of the respondents strongly agreed that Hong Kong Tourism industry affects the economic stability of the nation. 4.     The relationship of the perception of the respondents regarding the individual Visit Scheme are highly correlated which means that majority of the respondents agreed on this tourism development approach 5.     It can be concluded also that Individual Visit Scheme project of Hong Kong has a long way to go in proving their competitiveness in the global tourism. 6.     In addition, the respondents believed that there is a need for a more comprehensive planning for having an effective Individual Visit Scheme project that would meet the needs of the local or domestic and international tourists.   5.3 Recommendation Competitiveness of tourist destinations has become increasingly importance for tourist destination countries as they are striving for a bigger market share of the fast growing industry of travel and tourism. The issue is especially crucial for many ‘tourism dependent’ countries, which rely heavily on travel and tourism industry for their economies like Hong Kong. Moreover, the role of travel and tourism industry in most countries also tends to increase overtime, further highlighting the importance of travel and tourism industry in the economy. In order for Hong Kong to ensure the effectiveness of the initiation of their Individual Visit Scheme to adhere on the competition and satisfy the needs of the customers, it is recommended that the tourism department and government of Hong Kong focus on the following issues in their effort to develop their Individual Visit Scheme project   ü  Improve the quality of tourism services and facilities. ü  Increase consumers’ awareness of tourism sites and make information on them readily available. ü  Create new tourism services and facilities that match the preferences of the local and international tourists   ü  Provide legislations and provisions to control casino gaming addictions for local tourists.   5.4 Future Research Directions The study conducted for Individual Visit Scheme project in Hong Kong analysis, herein, this research can be enhanced further through the following future research recommendations: 1.    Future researchers using a similar topic may consider the use of a larger sample instead of just using 102 tourism clients from Hong Kong. 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London: Constable.   Wilder-Smith, A 2005, ‘The severe acute respiratory syndrome’, Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 53-50.   Wilks, J & Moore, S no date, Tourism risk management for the Asia Pacific region: an authoritative guide for managing crises and disasters, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), APEC International Centre for Sustainable Tourism. Retrieved 07 October 2008, from http://www.world-tourism.org/newsroom/Releases/2005/january/Final%20-%20Tourism%20Risk%20Management%20in%20the%20Asia%20Pacific%20Region%20Report1.pdf   Wilson, D. 1993, Time and tides in the anthropology of tourism. In Tourism in South-East Asia (eds) M. Hitchcock et al. London: Routledge.   World Health Organization (WHO) 2004, WHO Guidelines for the global surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Updated Recommendations, WHO Website, retrieved 07 October 2008from http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/SARSNEWGUIDANCE/en/index.html   Xiao, W., Yip, W. et al 2002, Improving Hong Kong’s Healthcare System: Why and For Whom? (online version). Available at: http://www.hwfb.gov.hk/hw/english/archive/consult/HCS/HCS.HTM [Accessed: 10/08/08].   Zerner, C. 1982, Tourism and the Arts in Southern Sulawesi. Cultural Survival     Quarterly 6(4):21-23.           Letter to the Respondent     To the respondent,   Greetings! The researcher is conducting a survey concerning the Impact of Individual Visit Scheme on H.K Tourism Industry. To enable the researcher to make the necessary conclusions and recommendations for this study, it would be very much appreciated if you answer all the items in this questionnaire. Information given will be treated in strictest confidence.   Thank you! The Researcher            Survey Questionnaire   Part 1. Personal Data Direction: Please fill up in all the necessary information about yourself.  Do not leave any item unanswered. a.    Gender ( ) Male                       ( ) Female   b.    Age Group ( ) 25 below   ( ) 26-30                     ( ) 33-35 ( ) 36-40         ( ) 41-45                     ( ) 46-50         ( ) 51-above Civil Status ( ) Single        ( ) Married      ( ) Separated             ( ) Widow/Widower c.    Highest Educational Attainment ( ) College                             ( ) High School ( ) Graduate               ( ) Post Graduate   d.    Type of Employment Service ( ) Government                     ( ) MNC ( ) Private                               ( ) others   Part 2. Perception of the Respondents Directions:  Check the best choice that accurately corresponds to your answer.             SD STRONGLY DISAGREE (1) D DISAGREE (2) U UNDECIDED (3) A AGREE (4) SA STRONGLY   AGREE (5)   STATEMENTS   SD D U A SA Impact of Hong Kong Tourism Industry to their Economic Stability           <li class="MsoNormal"> Hong Kong Tourism businesses were severely affected by SARS that causes significant damage to Hong Kong Economy.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal"> Hong Kong Tourism is important to the stability of the economic condition of Hong Kong.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> Tourism in Hong Kong enables the country to be known in the international market which in turn affects their economic status.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme has both long-term and short-term effects to Hong Kong.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The increase in the number of Mainland tourists has some benefits the economy of Hong Kong and may demonstrate that the economy is on an upward track.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme helps the Hong Kong economy to recover from SARS attack.</li>           Perception Towards Individual Visit Scheme           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Hong Kong’s Individual Visit Scheme is an excellent approach to counter decreasing number of tourist visitors due to the attack of SARS in 2003.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> With regards to the threat of SARS in Hong Kong, the creation of Individual Visit Scheme augments the number of visitors in Hong Kong and Macau.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong’s non-tourism businesses.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> As a result of these global threats, the number of visitors and tourists who visited Hong Kong tourist destinations decreased thus, Individual Visit Scheme is necessary.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme helps encourage visitors to Hong Kong.</li>           Perception Towards Hong Kong Tourism           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> With respect to the Individual Visit Scheme, the Hong Kong Tourism is continuously growing.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> I am satisfied to the current efforts of the tourism industry in enhancing their operation.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Individual Visit Scheme is an advantage to Hong Kong Tourism Industry because it also shows improvement of services.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> At the time of SARS attack in 2003, competition in Hong Kong Tourism industry was no longer stiff during the outbreak of the disease growing worldwide but the efforts of Hong Kong Tourism industry put back their composure.</li>           <li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black"> The Hong Kong Tourism Industry was performing well.</li>

Dissertation on To Study The Impact of Individual Visit Scheme on H.K Tourism Industry

Chapter 1 The Problem and Its Background In this chapter paper, the rationale, significance of the study, and scope and lim...

The impact of training and development in public sector organizations in Ghana

The impact of training and development in public sector organizations in Ghana Various studies on the impact of training and development in the public sector companies in Ghana have been conducted over the years.  The study seeks to understand how this affects these organizations and in the end how it would affect the local governments in Ghana. No one sums it up better than Mr. T.K. Abu-Bakr Bibilazu, the Director of the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) in his “A Word from Director” on the site of the MDPI: The business world has changed dramatically. There are increasing pressures on managers and employees alike to integrate new information technology into all aspects of the organization’s operations for improved effectiveness, efficiency and customer satisfaction. The continuous need to innovate and improve the quality of goods and services to allow an organization to compete effectively has made it mandatory for employers to strive to improve the knowledge, skills and attitudes of their employees. Management also has to be developed to be on top of the work and be emotionally intelligent. The increasing diversity of the workforce therefore demands continuous training. Training and development help to ensure that organizational members have the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently, take on new responsibilities and more so adapt to fast changing conditions. While training primarily focuses on coaching or assisting people on how to perform their current jobs and helping them acquire the knowledge and skills they need to be effective performers, development focuses on building knowledge and skills of people to enable them be prepared to take on new responsibilities and challenges. This is where the experience of the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) is required to help guide staff of organizations to be real performers. In line with our vision which states, inter-alia: "A market leader in productivity improvement strategies development and promotion of best management practices" and one of the three pillars of the economy - human resource development - the Institute has drastically improved its activities in the areas of: ·         Productivity improvement techniques ·         Management training ·         Consultancy ·         Productivity measurement and awareness creation It was found that Ghana’s public sector reforms (PSR) significantly influenced the strategic direction of human resource development policies of the decentralized local government service. Major human resource capacity challenges manifest three-dimensionally as: policy, task/skill/organization and performance motivation induced.  Addressing the human resource capacity challenges has enormous strategic and financial resource implications for policy makers in transition and developing economies due to their over-reliance on external donors for funding.  (Antwi & Analoui) In 2003, the Government of Ghana established the Public Sector Reform Secretariat with a mandate to review all reform initiatives that had taken place prior to 2003 and redesign the framework for public sector reform.  The government acknowledged that the Civil Service was a ‘critical weak link’, ‘demonstrably weak and ineffective’ in delivering the nation’s programme and development agenda.  In order to put the Civil Service on a fast track forward to rehabilitation, the Ministry of Public Sector Reform planned to: ·         Implement recommendations for the appointment and remuneration of the Civil Service leadership ·         In collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service, determine an enhanced training programme for all levels of Civil Service ·         Prepare a strategy to deal with government payroll/personnel management ·         Begin cleanup work on the payroll/personnel database.  (Ghana Case Study) The programme was simplified into ‘step changes’ which were independently realistic and would gradually build change to create a sustainable momentum.  Improved human resource management was seen as one of the basic conditions for reform.  Establishing credibility of the payroll system and related controls would provide a better grip on overall staff numbers. The cleansing of the payroll and the establishment of ministry responsibility to control payroll were identified as a key milestone for achieving the first phase of reform.  Other critical first phase activities included measures to improve responsibility and accountability within the public sector based on removal of excuses for non-performance and clear and appropriate information flows.  (Ghana case study)   References: Adrien, Marie-Helene.  Delivery of Monitoring and Evaluation Training.  Operations Evaluation Department (OED) World Bank.  May 2001.  Retrieved 21 May, 2011 from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTEVACAPDEV/Resources/4585672-1252437578683/Review_ME.pdf Antwi, KB & Analoui, F.  Facing the Challenges of effective human resource development policy in Ghana.  Journal of Management Development.  Volume 27 (6): 13.  13 June, 2008.  Retrieved 21 May, 2011 from http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/emerald/reforming-public-sector-facing-the-challenges-of-effective-human-Z90taciUX5?key=emerald Bibilazu, T.k. Abu-Bakr.   Word from the Director.  Management Development and Productivity Institute.  Retrieved 21 May, 2011 from http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/Ghana/Education/Management_Development_and_Productivity_Institute/welcome Ghana Case Study.  International Records Management Trust.  (n.b.)  July 2008.  Retrieved 21 May, 2011 from http://www.irmt.org/documents/building_integrity/case_studies/IRMT_Case_Study_Ghana.pdf

The impact of training and development in public sector organizations in Ghana

T he impact of training and development in public sector organizations in Ghana Various studies on the impact of training and developm...

Case Study of the Hong Kong Logistics Industry

Hong Kong Government Logistics Polices Existing logistics policies are established by Hong Kong Government: -          Hong Kong-Zhuihai-Macau Bridge, which is planned to link to the second export cargo sources in PRD, to provide an alternative transshipment way and speed up the transshipment time between factories and Hong Kong terminals. -          Hong Kong Logistics Park, which will be located halfway between Hong Kong International Airport and the container terminals, to facilitate the cargoes to using different transportation modes. -          Digital Trade Transportation Network (DTTN) system is a unified electronic trade platform, to provide to the logistics stakeholders in Hong Kong to exchange their information seamlessly and efficiently. -          Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) It is an arrangement to promote the economic development, strengthen trade and investment co-operation between Hong Kong Government and China in different areas. The cooperation areas within CEPA directly affect the Hong Kong logistics industry are included: customs clearance facilitation, small and medium enterprises, electronic business promotion, commodity inspection and quarantine. -          Hong Kong Logistics Development Council It is an organization to implement the policies set up by the Steering Committee on Logistics Development. It co-ordinates the Hong Kong logistics development issues, and handles the joint projects between the government and commercial sectors. -          Hong Kong & Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council It is a joint conference between Hong Kong and nine regions of PRD. Their major responsibilities are to monitor and take part the development of different joint projects between Hong Kong and Great Pearl Delta River Region.                            Except Hong Kong-Zhuihai-Macau Bridge not confirm the construction details, the other projects mentioned above are scheduled and implemented.   Policies Evaluation There are different approaches for strategy formulation, each of them are for different circumstances. “BCG Matrix” is the portfolio approach to corporate strategy, while “Porter’s Competitive Model” approach is for industry or business competition evaluation. Thus, Porter’s Competitive Model” is suitable for this case and selected to evaluate the effectiveness of Hong Kong Government logistics policies. By considering five forces in Porter’s Model, some policies could be complied with the forces: - New Entrant Barrier        The DTTN is just launched to the stakeholders in Hong Kong. If it        could be introduced and integrated with the manufacturers and Chinese  official organizations in the PRD region, the cargo sources would be tied up  by Hong Kong logistics facilities. They must use the Hong Kong logistics  services to export their cargoes to the destinations.  However, the responsible party - Hong Kong Logistics Development Council  has no any schedule to promote this electronic platform to the PRD region.   - Determinants of Supplier Power The Hong Kong & Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council has established new facilities to enhance the cargo flows at various cross-border control gateways, such as a new boundary bridge and special customs clearance channels for cargo trucks. Under the negotiations by the Unit, a new automatic toll system will be launched during September 2006, the cross-boarder truck drivers will be able to pay tolls in PRD and Hong Kong’s electronic toll collection gates by means of same smart card, this could smooth the road traffic and facilitate the flow of cargo in both regions.        Hong Kong-Zhuihai-Macau Bridge is an alternative linkage between Hong  Kong and the second large export source – western part of PRD. It will  shorten the transshipment time by two or three days, to truck the cargoes to Hong Kong, instead of transshipping by small vessels right now. The supplier power will be greater by using the above moves, indeed their service quality and profitability will be improved.        - Determinants of Customer Power One of reasons why the shippers in PRD use the PRD logistics facilities to ship out their cargo is the complicated export customs clearance procedures through the Hong Kong entrance. Their cargoes are always stuffed in the cross-border check points, sometimes one whole day, in turn they could not catch the vessel they booked. Their shipment time then is prolonged. Under the implementation of Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), Hong Kong Government has negotiated with the Chinese officials to simplify their procedures, as well as speed up the clearance procedures in our own check points. This could smooth the cross-border traffic of the cargo trucks, and cope with the shippers’ requirement. Then CEPA could exert their influence to the customer power to improving their service standard.   - Threat of Substitute Services Many PRD shippers have complained that the handling fee of Hong Kong logistics services are too expensive to compare with that of PRD, it is almost double of the charge in the PRD logistics services, i.e. around USD100 for each laden cargo container. It is one of reasons why they choose the logistics facilities in PRD to ship their cargoes out to China, instead of using Hong Kong’s facilities. The operation unit of Hong Kong Logistics Development Council have contacted and negotiated with the concerned service providers such as carriers, airport and container terminal operators to deduce the charges as low as they could. This could enhance our competitive advantage from our direct competitors in the PRD region.          Unfortunately, Hong Kong Logistics Development Council could not  persuade some service providers such as container terminal operators to  lower their handling fee.                          Arguments There are favorable and unfavorable situations to implementing the polices mentioned above for the Hong Kong logistics industry: In the positive point of view, the policies could benefit the Hong Kong logistics development: - Build up the efficient distribution network between Hong Kong and the PRD regions. More alternative transport modes could be connected to the Hong Kong logistics facilities.   - Support Hong Kong as international transportation and logistics hub within Asia region. - Strengthen Hong Kong position as a gateway or spring board for foreign     investors to China market.   In the negative point of view, the polices may incur the disadvantages to the Hong Kong logistics industry: - The PRD region would replace Hong Kong position of international transportation and logistics hub. - The number of employee in the Hong Kong local logistics industry would be reduced as more Hong Kong logistics companies move to the PRD region. Then, the unemployment rate in Hong Kong would be increased.

Case Study of the Hong Kong Logistics Industry

Hong Kong Government Logistics Polices Existing logistics policies are established by Hong Kong Government: - Hong Kong-Zhui...

Person In Environment

table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%"> The study of human systems began in the twentieth century in the introduction of General Systems Theory.  This is a cross-discipline field assuming that social science can pin down the living and non-living and treat them as systems.  A Person In Environment (regarded as PIE) yields the suggestion of existing in a system that may be organized and arranged through social means.  By system, similarities are determined with relations to patterns, unities and connecting to a whole. Systems can be a group of people, or units such as "families, organizations, communities, societies, and cultures".  It is important to see the origin of social systems theory as beginning on Systems theory that came out influenced by various fields post-World War II.  To approach social science by systems has been a debate of scholars.  Systems itself is a vague term that may be employed and applied in several manners but what remains true is how they consistent of components or parts that function to form a whole in their own interdependent manner. Systems to put more simply and bluntly describe relationships and the workings of interactions.  The smallest unit of society is not the individual that will consist of the society as a collective but the most basic interaction or relationship the individual is able to bridge that will then form sequences, "patterns of exchange that occurs between individuals".  According to Jacob and Tennenbaum, the smallest unit of society then is "the system of members in mutual and interdependent relationships with one another, not individual behaviour in isolation of context".  Thus, a social system.  It then proceeds to say that society or the world's root is not the person but the relationship and interaction this person forms with another.  The world, or society to say, cannot exist without communication.  This remains to be a general or broad take of what a system is supposed to be.  Systems may still be divided into levels or ranked to consist of suprasystems and subsystems according to Joan Jurish and Karen Myers-Bowman (1998).  Jurish and Myers-Bowman explain this configuration through the systems that consist a human body such as the "circulatory, digestive, neurological", which may be regarded as subsystems consisting a whole suprasystem which is the human body.  Systems Theory has various assumptions:  First, it believes in holism which focuses on the sum whole than its parts (and which would be expounded further in Parsons' section).  In holism, each interaction is an event that builds up to a pattern and forming a whole.  Secondly, it assumes that Living Systems are open in a way that it would actively initiate and bring forth exchanges and interactions rather merely taking the role of responsive individuals.  Human beings are also deemed to be intelligent enough to be reflective on what they do and know.  Reality is consequently a construct, subjective rather objective.  Systems Theory may educate how reality is perceived according to how it is organized and understood.  Above all, Society is self-sustaining on its own.       General Systems Theory may be considered as founded by Ludwig von Bertalanffy during the earlier half of the 20th century.  Bertalanffy became considered how the study of living beings can be so technical, scientific and mechanical.  This is said to limit and "neglect" as well as "deny" to how life functions.  Bertalanffy would rather for the perspective on Biology to be a living organism which cannot be pinned down by laws and concepts.  His theories were then published after the World War where systems theory began to be embraced by various cross-disciplines. Add that the second World War in itself was a "major impact on the development of systems theory" where new fields such that of Norbert Wiener's cybernetics was invented in order to further boost the defense weaponries of an army.  Cybernetics emphasized on "feedback systems and communication technology" which allowed a further appreciation of the systems theory as an appreciation of electronics lead to a re-evaluation of how the human brain functions. This application of systems theory was further expounded by Gregory Bateson who integrated both the cybernetic processes to that of human processes which further led to the utilization and application of systems theory to the social science especially the family.     The idea of social activity as identifiable and possibly treated as a system began in the ancient times when Greeks initially perceive of systems as resembling a body, each part with its own role to contribute to this body.  Then Thomas Hobbes was said to have taken the idea of society as an organism in his book, Leviathan.  These efforts inspire the idea of society as living and working together to sustain itself. The first to apply systems theory in American society.  In the book, "The Social Systems", he proposed the idea of organizing society in to systems as a viable and autonomous guide for research and study and not merely as limiting as "extensions of psychology or manifestations of culture".   The actions of the individuals consisting a society is towards societal goals, "people are determined by society".  Parsons emphasis is that people sum up to a whole and thus a system can only be understood in its whole than in dividing it into isolated parts.  What was prioritized then is the relationships between This is also called the Macro point of view.  Another proponent is Habermas who promotes the Action Theory which has to do with the necessity of communication in the existence of a society.  By this, individuals need to interaction with each other and form a culture that would stress the importance of roles and functions in order to sustain society in its ongoing processes.  This is a more interaction based point of view that emphasizes on the units that comprise society than the society that is collected and built up.  By emphasizing on parts, the point of view becomes the atomic.  In this regard, it is people who determine society than societal norms, culture and goals determining how people should function.  Society is dependent to the people that exist within it and thus, it is dependent on how the individual functions or behaves so to speak.  This behaviour may comprise of a pattern that will then comprise of a system.    Thus maintaining the system can be performed in four ways.  Firstly is to maintain the sense of pattern through stability and institutionalizing such pattern (which may be a challenge to do in curbing the individual to the patterns.  The maintenance of the system may also be expressed by goal orientation wherein society is motivated towards the attaining of goals for the sake of the system.  Thirdly there is maintenance through adaptation which is through the sacrifice or disposal of some goals in respect to a more necessary one to maintain the organization.  Then fourthly there is the integration which is supposed to be the integration of the functions of pattern and goal orientation.  By integration, adjustment also becomes essential in order to fully accept goals towards the effectiveness and stability of a pattern.  It is what eventually keeps the system intact in its whole self.    The critique with the General Social System Theory was that it idealizes society as that is quiet, peaceful and orderly.  Society also comprises of stable and rational individuals all working towards unity.  It fails to include the possibilities of chaos, inequality and instability.  Scholars dispute that Social Systems are in reality, chaotic and complex as systems are subjected to constant change.  While General Systems Theory supposes that societies will proceed to one end, the Complex theory proceeds with the notion of multiple ends.  There is no circular motion nor is there a way to go back to where society started.  "Once a system has developed along a given path it cannot simply go back again." This is because relationships upon interrelationships would have formed to "complicated and interwoven" heights.   This theory actually disputes the existence of a systems theory as it postulates human beings as inability to be contained and covered by science and unable to supply the multiple levels and dimensions which will enrich it.  It regards social systems as too complicated an understanding that cannot be pinned down.             In the application of System approaches to School District Management, systems theory holds that schools are managed in such a way that they would resemble "organizations, where teachers are accountable for their students' results".  Systems Theory also promote personalized, subjective and one on one learning where the learning is performed by the student and not provided by the mentor.  The philosophy behind this is that the school is a sum of a whole, of each student working positively.  Systems theory would make effective and efficient the educational institution through its arrangement of levels supra-systems and subsystems.  Because relationships and interactions are emphasized, teachers are encouraged to build relationships with students as students are also necessary in building relationships with each other.  With systems theory, students can indeed become "active learners seeking knowledge" because of the personal attention granted to them.  This means the school needs to be self-sufficient, open and reflective.             Systems Theory calls for schools to be synchronized and united in one clearly defined purpose each subsystem with their purpose and functions to meet in order to allow the suprasystem to meet the said goal (through a feedback system).  Systems are also supposedly dynamic that will consist of "cycles and trends".  School systems are also by assumption rational thus each child is worthy of such a treatment as rational beings.

Person In Environment

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SWOT Analysis of the Cosmetics Industry

Introduction             The cosmetics industry plays a significant part in the economy.  In this sense, case studies prove to be useful since it provide findings as to the past and current situation of the industry.  Moreover, it will present recommendations based upon the perceived findings.  This case study can be classified according to the famous (SWOT) Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats format. Strength             During the three decades, from 1970 to 1990, the cosmetics industry gained momentum in its extensive development through per capita consumption.  Even some segments may vary; the cosmetic industry is near maturity.  The current annual retail sales of the industry totaled up to $14.5 billion.              The first quarter of this current year has seen a demand beginning to revive and trend is expected to continue well into the following year.  Weaknesses             Accounting to the past developments, the cosmetics industry has never been always in such a case.  The industry is no longer recession-proof and is now bound for depressions and declinations.  Actually, the sales in the past year are slow moving because of downed consumer spending.  Consumers that time then tend to settle for the less expensive lines.              Another setback of the industry is the demand-price ratio.  Within the past five years, the prices were invariable and steady but promotion budgets were growing and getting greater than ever.  Opportunities             In keeping away from a potential head-on competition, a strategy of focusing on special niches proved to be effective especially in the struggle with the industry leaders.  This has been a great line of attack adopted by smaller companies in their contest with the market leaders.  They survive and exist through specializing in niches, differentiating the product lines, and focusing on market segment.              A potential huge market has been spotted on men as they account for 50% of adult population that consume one-fifth of cosmetic sales.  The failure of the market leaders in such opportunity provides hint to smaller companies as to what would be the proper and better approach to the market.              Furthermore, the senior citizen population is a large growing market segment which should be given focus as the population’s needs were not being met.  Threats             Notwithstanding the apparent growth of the cosmetic industry during the past four decades, there are currently more than 700 growing cosmetic companies competing in the market.  Additionally, there are also market leaders that dominate the cosmetic industry.  Consequently, it creates stiff and intensifying competition especially to those smaller companies as market leaders are putting pressure on these smaller cosmetic companies.  Conclusion and Recommendations             As stated above, the configuration makes it clear enough for the company on where to focus its strategy.  That is, the focal point of such strategy should be on the opportunities keeping in mind the threats.  The strengths of the industry should also be maintained through the awareness of its weaknesses.              This SWOT structure provided clear and definite way in formulating strategies and approach to the cosmetic market.  It gave attentiveness by laying past and current findings that is of great significance to the market approach.

SWOT Analysis of the Cosmetics Industry

Introduction The cosmetics industry plays a significant part in the economy. In this sense, case studies ...