We must work with Macau to lure more tourists, say officials

Increased co-operation with Macau tourism authorities is being sought by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Travel Industry Council in an effort to boost tourist figures.

The call comes after the management shake-up at the troubled Ngong Ping 360 cable car following a series of problems culminating in the fall of a gondola on June 11.

'Tourists can come to Hong Kong to shop, eat, visit Disneyland ... and then off to Macau to gamble,' Hong Kong Tourism Board chairman James Tien Pei-chun said during a radio programme yesterday.

Mr Tien said he would meet Macau tourism officials on October 22 to discuss various proposals to attract more tourists.

Speaking during a separate radio programme, Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung said that while the opening of the massive Venetian Macao resort would have an impact on Hong Kong's tourist figures, he was confident many travellers would visit both Hong Kong and Macau.

'[Hong Kong and Macau] should come up with co-operation projects and match each other's promotional efforts to attract tourists together and achieve a win-win situation,' Mr Tung said.