HK boosts tour project                    

The Hong Kong Tourism Board is expanding its Hong Kong Pals Program, recruiting volunteers to provide personalized recommendations to visitors who want to experience the city's culture.

The number of volunteers this year will be doubled to 60 and services will be expanded from three days a week to daily, executive director Anthony Lau said yesterday.

"Many visitors have high regard for the services offered by the Hong Kong Pals who also find the volunteers' work to be personally enriching," he said.

The new batch of Hong Kong Pals will start in October at the board's Visitor Centers at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Concourse and The Peak Piazza.

Hong Kong residents aged above 18 can join by May 12, as long as they have a passion for Hong Kong and visitor services.

They should also possess knowledge of local culture, speak fluent Cantonese, English and Mandarin, and be eager to mingle with visitors.