Commissioner for Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Philip Yung led a delegation to Macau for the third annual meeting between the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau SARs today (May 5). Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U hosted a luncheon for the delegation.
The 9-member delegation comprising the Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong held the third annual meeting with the Macau Government Tourist Office. Members of the delegation included Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Anthony Lau and Executive Director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Joseph Tung, among others. The delegation met with Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires and heads of relevant departments to review the tourism performance in 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, to exchange information on the major tourism initiatives and events launched in 2009 to counter the effects of the global financial crisis, to discuss the outlook of tourism development in 2010, to report on progress of “honest and quality tourism” initiatives and also exchange crisis management framework and experience. The officials also discussed tourism cooperation issues such as promotion of “multi-destination” itineraries, MICE market development and tourism quality enhancement. Speaking at the luncheon, Secretary Cheong U expressed that Macau and Hong Kong are popular destinations for the Mainland and overseas visitors, who are attracted by each of the cities’ distinctive tourism features that, when complemented with each other in developing “multi-destination” itineraries, can achieve a win-win situation for the tourism industry of the two places. At the same time, he believed the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau can further strengthen cooperation through experience exchange and joint promotion. With their joint efforts and dedication, the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau have achieved effective results in promoting quality tourism practices, enhancing service quality and improving the handling of tourist complaints.
Chief of Cabinet of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cecilia Cheung, President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Ung Vai Meng, President of the Institute for Tourism Studies Fanny Vong, President of the Consumer Council Wong Hong Neng, Secretary General of the Tourism Development Committee Nadia Leong and members the Tourism Development Committee also attended the luncheon. Some members of the Hong Kong delegation joined a site inspection to the Mandarin’s House and the Science Center in the afternoon. MGTO and the relevant tourism authorities of Hong Kong held the first annual tourism meeting between the Hong Kong and Macau SARs in 2008, which set a framework for the tourism authorities of the two places to meet and exchange regularly.
