Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau ink Agreement, Signalling New Milestone in Tourism Co-operation
Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau sign framework agreement on tourism co-operation (Photo provided by the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture)
The 'Meeting between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau on Tourism Co-operation and Development' - held on Hengqin Island in Zhuhai on 9th July - accomplished a variety of important goals. During the meeting, the Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) signed a 'Framework Agreement on Co-operation in Tourism between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau'. which MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes observed signalled a new milestone in regional co-operation as well as acknowledging the new era it was embarking upon.
The agreement was signed by MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Cathy Chu Man Ling of the Tourism Commission of the Hong Kong SAR and Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau Deputy Director Wang Lingping.
The agreement calls for the establishment of a Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Co-operation Conference as a platform of communication in addition to the setting up of a working mechanism to regularly organise such assemblies, the prime purpose of which is to enhance co-operation in the promotion of tourism, international tourism events, tourism market supervision, and the cultivation of tourism talent, among other objectives.
Ms. Fernandes said that in adopting the development strategy of 'One Belt, One Road' and helping participating in the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, she hoped that Macau could further develop its tourism advantages whilst jointly participating in major national strategies with Hong Kong, Zhuhai and other co-operation partners in the region. She expressed the belief that the collective efforts of the three governments, industries and citizens would lay strong foundations for mutual success.
Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macau fashioned co-operation mechanisms in 1993 to promote the 'Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Regional Tourism' brand, with a 2012 agreement also paving the way for improved co-operation. In April 2015, Macau signed a tourism co-operation agreement with Zhuhai, followed in June by another with Shaoguan.