Hong Kong and the Philippines strengthen Tourism co-operation

Hong Kong and the Philippines have pledged to step up their co-operation as tourism partners and jointly promote the two destinations in overseas markets, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their official tourism marketing organisations.

The MoU was signed in Hong Kong today by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Chairman, The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, GBS, OBE, JP, and Chairman of the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC), The Hon Richard Gordon. Mr Gordon who is in Hong Kong to attend the joint Boao Forum for Asia and World Tourism Organization conference on Revitalising Asian Tourism, is also Secretary of Tourism for the Philippines and current Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

Mrs Chow noted that the Philippines was Hong Kong's second largest source market for visitors in Southeast Asia, contributing over 329,000 arrivals in 2002. Conversely more than 271,000 Hong Kong residents chose the Philippines as a travel destination.

"Through the signing of this MoU, we hope not only to generate further new tourism business between our two destinations, but even more importantly, to promote Hong Kong and the Philippines together to travellers from further afield," she explained. "There is much that is complementary in the differing attractions we can offer, thereby adding appeal and excitement to multi-destination itineraries."

Mr Gordon commented that the MoU between Philippines and Hong Kong represented a strategic economic partnership under which the respective tourism organisations would explore mutually beneficial opportunities to revive bilateral tourist traffic and eventually bring the level of visitor exchanges to new heights. "Hong Kong, being our close neighbour, is a good starting point for revitalising Philippines tourism. Conversely, we hope that Hong Kong regards the Philippines, its nearest tourist destination besides Mainland China, in a similar light," he added.

Besides strengthening the two destinations' co-operation on overseas marketing and promotion, the MoU covers a number of other mutually beneficial areas including trade and media familiarisation trips, and conventions, exhibitions and corporate meetings.