Source: CCTV.com

02-25-2009 12:14

The Hong Kong SAR authority wants to stimulate its tourism industry by strengthening travel in Guangdong Province and Macao. It outlined plans at a meeting of government representatives from the three regions. One suggestion is that convenient visa procedures for Shenzhen be extended to other cities in Guangdong.

The Hong Kong SAR authority wants to stimulate its tourism  industry by strengthening travel in Guangdong Province and Macao.

Tourists from the Chinese mainland are now a main force in Hong Kong's tourism industry. Most come from Guangdong, over 12 million last year. The Hong Kong tourism authority wants to expand the one-year multiple-entry visa to other cities in the province.

James Tien, chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, "I hope the new policy put into effect in Shenzhen, could include other cities in Guangdong province such as Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shunde and Zhuhai. We received 16 million tourists last year. 70 to 80 percent were from Guangdong province. We benefited greatly. The most important thing now is whether the policy could be implemented as quickly as possible."

The Hong Kong Tourism Board estimates the number of tourists this year will shrink more than 1.6 percent. The board plans to step up advertising, especially on the Mainland. It also hopes the country will allow more of its inland cities to arrange tours to Hong Kong.

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Editor:Qin Yongjing