On Friday, the World Health Organisation lifted its 52-day travel advisory against the city, but officials believe it will take months for Hong Kong tourism to recover.

'We can't wait. We have to do this as soon as possible,' Mr Young said. 'Our industry is saying that if we don't do this now, we will lose [some overseas] tourists for the rest of the year.'

This was because people had already begun planning their summer holidays, he said.

Mr Young said he and Mrs Chow would push for a meeting in the next two days with Financial Secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung, who is also spearheading the government's $1 billion Relaunch Hong Kong campaign, and Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip Shu-kwan.

The two legislators have proposed that tourist coupons, which could be exchanged for $300 worth of goods and services in the city, be issued to all visitors.

Mr Young hopes that up to one million coupons can be issued.

'The average traveller spends about $4,500 in Hong Kong ... the cash coupon will help spur that.'

Mr Young added there had been no response from the government so far.

He said the most critical issue would be to allocate enough money to promote the plan properly to target potential tourists.

Tourist Industry Council director Joseph Tung Yao-chung said the tourism sector would welcome the plan if the government agreed to implement it.

'In the short term, [price] is very important. Some of our council members have begun offering very large discounts - 50 per cent off regular prices - on Hong Kong tour packages to some markets in Southeast Asia. This would definitely be another value-added [deal] for tourists,' Mr Tung said.

Gilbert Chow, vice-chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives and general manager of Northwest Airlines' local operation, said: 'Any freebie for tourists is definitely a boost.'

But Mr Chow said Hong Kong - and eventually the mainland - would need to be taken off the WHO's list of Sars-affected regions before a full recovery in tourism could be expected.

'That's the next giant step,' he said. 'The next 29 days will be critical.'

The Airport Authority has implemented measures to help airlines recover from the Sars crisis, including a $100 million rescue package to attract flights that deserted the city during the outbreak. The package includes discounted landing charges for airlines.

Mr Chow said the Tourism Board would need to monitor the scheme for at least two to three weeks before it could 'gauge' its effectiveness.

Choi Suk-keun, deputy director for culture of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, yesterday said her office would offer discounts at its cultural programmes in July and August, as part of the Relaunch Hong Kong campaign.

Ms Choi said a 20 per cent discount would be offered for the purchase of four to seven tickets, and a 40 per cent discount for eight or more. During the promotion, museum visitors will also be offered a free ticket for every ticket bought.