Marking her first visit to Beijing since becoming the tourism chief four months ago, Rosanna Law revealed that Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, has offered his encouragement to her staff.
“The director was particularly focused on how we can be innovative in the aspect of tourism, particularly our islands and coasts, we can make good use of such valuable, rich tourism resources,” she told reporters.
“In fact, we have been working on that in the short, medium, and even the long-term.”
She noted that the Development Bureau is inviting expressions of interest for coastal and island tourism projects on Lamma Island and Lantau Island.
Describing the trip as “very fruitful,” the minister said she has reported to Xia and the General Administration of Sport of China on a series of mega events staged at the Kai Tak Sports Park after its opening in March.
These included the Hong Kong Sevens, for which Law said the feedback from revellers coming outside the SAR and athletes was generally positive.
She emphasised that the government has to continue to fulfill its role in leading and monitoring the Kai Tak venue.
Law, meanwhile, noted that the current situation for Hong Kong’s film industry is challenging.
She said the overall economic situation might have caused some cinemas to shut down.
The tourism chief added the industry should grab hold of the opportunities on the mainland offered by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA.
