Xia Baolong ‘concerned' with Hong Kong's tourism, as minister vows to do more
Beijing's point man on Hong Kong affairs is deeply concerned with how the city can enhance its offerings for visitors, the tourism chief has said while pledging to press on with rolling out new initiatives focused on local resources such as islands and coasts.
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Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui made the pledge on Friday after presenting her work and future plans to Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and meeting other officials in Beijing.
'Director Xia is especially concerned about how we can keep putting forth new ideas to enhance our tourism offerings, especially our islands and coasts. We can make the most of this kind of precious and rich tourism resource,' she said.
'In fact, we have been keeping up with our short, medium and long-term plans … We'll be working step-by-step to carry out the vision instructed by the central government. We need to roll out new things to keep attracting tourists to return to Hong Kong.'
Law added the Development Bureau had already invited investors to submit expressions of interest for ecotourism development proposals for the quarry site on Lamma Island, as well as for the South Lantau Eco-Recreation Corridor.
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In view of the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park last month, the tourism chief said she also reported the park's operational status to Xia and the General Administration of Sport of China, pledging to continue to play well their guiding and supervisory role.
'A series of grand events including the Hong Kong Sevens were held, and the attendance was enthusiastic,' she said. 'People and players evaluated the sports park very positively. We'll keep it up with our guiding and supervisory job.'
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