Tourism cooperation boosted by HK-Zhuhai-Macau bridge

Cranes operate on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge currently under construction

Given the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge’s opening looming on the horizon next year, the local government yesterday inked a framework agreement with authorities from Zhuhai and Hong Kong, ramping up regional collaboration on tourism development.
The trilateral partnership was reached at a conference held yesterday in Hengqin where both tourism departments’ major officials came together to discuss participation in the Chinese central government’s strategic “one belt one road” initiative.
Helena de Senna Fernandes, head of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) mentioned in her address: “As we are striving towards the goal of diversified products and market while continuing to consolidate and expand our international travel market, we also work with the SAR government to build Macau into a world travel and leisure center with a diversified tourist source.”
“In the past since 1993, the cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau has been there, yet now we hope it could particularly extend the cooperation between Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macau.”
The local government also seeks to make two-day stays possible for inbound visitors via the agreement as the city constantly records single-day visitation more than others. Ms Senna Fernandes told media that she was confident that attractive packages of products would come up in the travel sector within the year to fulfill the goal. “I believe that with more hotel rooms in the future, on the other hand, and our increasingly abundant tourist products, it’s absolutely possible to make [the visitors] stay for two nights,” she said
Rather than a competition, the MGTO head reckoned that the distinctive features from the three regions might complement with each other to achieve much more, especially with the help of the cross-city infrastructure.
The cooperative agreement requires the authorities to organize joint meetings regularly on promotions, the co-organizing of international activities and talent nurturing.
Scholars and experts from the three regions were also present in a forum, part of yesterday’s meeting, to paint a picture of the whole industry prospects as well as resources and facilities involved in the government-level cooperation.
Afterwards, the officials and other practitioners in the travel sector went on a tour of Zhuhai’s tourist attractions for more specific information. The delegation will be in town today to learn more about the local landscape.