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Strong Growth Marks Beijing and Hong Kong Tourism Cooperation

Tourism has always been an important part of economic cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong. With the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games, the Beijing Tourism Administration (BJTA) and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will work together to promote Olympic travel in both cities and will attempt to attract more overseas travellers.

So there was no surprise that travel was a major subject discussed during the 11th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium.

According to Gu Xiaoyuan, vice-director of the BJTA, with Beijing counting-down towards the Games and with Hong Kong completing its Olympic equestrian venues, Olympic-themed travel is sure to bring more opportunities to both cities. Beijing—Hong Kong, "one journey, two stops" travel, mainly aimed at the overseas travel market, will expose travellers to the beauty of the two cities and the Games. Beijing and Hong Kong have worked together in the early-stages of tour-line promotion, including inviting overseas media to experience in two cities therefore introducing the characteristics of Beijing and Hong Kong in their home countries.

To heighten cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong and to help Beijingers better understand equestrianism and related Olympic events, the HKTB held an exhibition of Hong Kong's sights and its Olympic equestrian venues in the Oriental Plaza in Wangfujing on November 5ñ7, 2007. The exhibition attracted many passers-by, both Chinese and foreign, especially the equestrian performances provided during its opening on November 5. The exhibition successfully promoted two-city travel packages and built enthusiasm for the 2008 Games and its equestrian events.

The annual Hong Kong Winter Festival will be held from November 30, 2007, to January 1, 2008, featuring celebrations of Christmas and the New Year, and appealing discounts at all shops. The HKTB wishes to attract global attention to Hong Kong and the Olympic Games.

京港携手共推奥运游

文/茅人杰

在刚刚结束的第11届北京·香港经济合作研讨洽谈会上，北京市旅游局和香港旅游发展局（旅发局）将联合推出主要针对海外市场的“一程多站式”京港奥运专线旅游项目，路线涵盖了北京、香港两地的奥运场馆，以吸引更多的游客到北京和香港观赛、旅游。

作为内地旅客境外旅游的首选目的地，香港的旅游业近年来增长强劲。据香港旅发局提供的数据显示，1997年内地旅客访港人次仅有236万，2006年这一数字已达1360万，增幅超过5倍。2007年前三季度内地旅客访港人次累计共1130多万人次，同期上升10.9%。

2006年，北京全年接待国内旅游者1.32亿人次，同比增长5.6%。其中港、澳、台胞52万人次，同比增长1.4%。据测算，到2008年，北京将接待国内旅游者1.52亿人次，国内旅游收入将达到1225亿元。奥运给北京旅游业将带来三大商机：一是提高旅游住宿设施建设与管理水平；二是调整旅游产品结构，建设以新型旅游产品为载体的旅游产业；三是发展旅游电子商务。

随着北京2008年奥运会进入倒计时阶段和香港的奥运马术比赛场的落成，以奥运为主题的旅游活动将为北京和香港两地带来更大的商机，也将使两座城市成为全球的焦点。

京港两地就此还针对海外市场重点推广了“北京—香港，一程多站式”旅游，让众多游客在观看奥运比赛的同时领略当地的风光。为使更多海外旅客了解该旅游产品，京港两地已于近日展开前期推广工作，包括邀请海外媒体到两地亲身体验、把香港和北京的旅游特色介绍给当地居民等。