Canadian travel company Tai Pan Tours, announced in Hong Kong on Monday that the company has chosen Hong Kong for its Asia Pacific headquarters.

Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, the new office in Hong Kong is Tai Pan's first overseas operation outside of Canada.

According to President & CEO of Tai Pan Tours Francis Wat, the setup of the regional headquarters is an important first step for  the company's expansion outside of Canada.

He said that it was part of the company's long-term business development plan to establish a strong network of global travel by strategically locating branches in key cities around the world.

"We see tremendous business opportunities in using Hong Kong a sour regional base. Hong Kong is centrally located in Asia and at the doorstep of the Chinese mainland. The city's world-class, sophisticated infrastructure also makes it easy and convenient for companies like us to conduct business activities. That was why Hong Kong naturally became Tai Pan Group's first choice for our Asia Pacific headquarters," said Wat.

Wat said the Hong Kong office will offer the company's travel-related products and services to local customers, and will also play an important role in exploring expansion opportunities in other markets in the region.

Invest Hong Kong has assisted the company in its investment process, according to a government press release Monday.

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong John Rutherford welcomed Monday the addition of the new member to local travel industry.

He said: "I am delighted that Tai Pan Tours has picked Hong Kong as its first overseas business location.

The record 21.8 million tourist arrivals here in 2004 provides a clear indicator of the size and importance of the travel-related industry to Hong Kong and all indications are that this figure is going to grow."

He added that Tai Pan's investment in Hong Kong is a vote of confidence in the city as a regional center which not only creates new jobs opportunities for Hong Kong, but also brings in new ideas and experiences, enriching the diversity of products and services the city has to offer.

Established in 1989, Tai Pan Tours is the flagship company of Tai Pan Group International Inc, specializing in arranging air tickets and hotel accommodations, and organizing international and local tours.

Apart from its head office in Toronto and the new Asian headquarters in Hong Kong, the company has branches in other major Canadian cities, including Vancouver and Montreal.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2005)