Seven measures to deepen tourism exchange and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong

On August 9, CNTA and Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) signed the Agreement on Furthering Tourism Cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in Beijing. The agreement was inked by CNTA vice chairman Du Jiang and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong Mr. Edward Yau Tang-wah in the witness of CNTA chairman Li Jinzao and chief executive of Hong Kong Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

The agreement was designed to strengthen tourism exchange and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, push ahead the integrated development of tourism markets, products, information and services on both sides, and facilitate the development of diverse tourism platforms in Hong Kong. Accordingly, mutual efforts will be concentrated in the following seven aspects: building working mechanisms, implementing pro-Hong Kong policies issued by the central government, strengthening tourism exchange, launching joint tourism publicity, tightening cooperation in tourism oversight, deepening tourism cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and promoting two-way study tours for teenagers. Specifically, first, to establish a regular communication and coordination mechanism. CNTA Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Tourism Affairs and CEDB Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch will take the lead to host annual meetings to discuss issues such as how to implement the central government’s pro-Hong Kong policies, launch regional tourism cooperation and joint market oversight, align tourism plans and seek innovation in tourism policies. Secondly, to allow Hong Kong to play a bigger role in tourism development under the Belt and Road Initiative, put into effect tourism cooperation contents included in the CEPA Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement, and gradually open the access for Hong Kong-based travel agencies to operate outbound group tours for mainland tourists (excluding tours to Taiwan) within the CEPA framework. Thirdly, to encourage mainland and Hong Kong companies to expand areas of cooperation, in particular cooperation in cruise tourism, support win-win cooperation and coordination between regional home ports, and strengthen cooperation in the development, publicity, and marketing of cruise travel routes and human resources training in this regard. Fourthly, to tighten cooperation between overseas representative offices of both sides, launch joint publicity on major occasions such as overseas tourism expos and exhibitions to market tourism resources along the Belt and Road, and strengthen information exchange in tourism data and marketing activities and support each other’s marketing activities in their home region. Fifthly, to establish and improve the market oversight and coordination mechanism, advance information exchange for market oversight, reinforce cooperation in law enforcement, and jointly crack down on practices that violate relevant laws and regulations such as group tours at unreasonably low prices; to regulate business activities, protect tourists’ legitimate rights and interests and jointly facilitate the sound, orderly tourism development in the mainland and Hong Kong. Sixthly, to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area into a world-class tourist destination. The bay area is a transport hub connecting inland provinces such as Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan. We shall make the most of this advantage and develop more multi-stop travel routes, in particular tourism products themed on the maritime Silk Road. Seventhly, to make more efforts in developing two-way study tours for teenagers from the mainland and Hong Kong.