Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung today gave a warm welcome to representatives of the tourism industry and media of the eight cities which were recently added to the Individual Visit Scheme, as they began a visit to Hong Kong.

The eight cities are Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi.

 
The delegates from these cities were invited to come to Hong Kong to experience the city's “Tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong” ethos.

Mr Yeung welcomed them at Tourism Board visitor centres located at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Hong Kong International Airport this morning.

He expressed his hope that they will experience the extraordinary charm of Hong Kong as an international metropolis and a culinary capital.

Mr Yeung added that the Government will work with the tourism trade to give visitors from cities included in the scheme diversified travel experience and high-quality service.

A total of around 40 trade representatives from the eight cities are undertaking a five-day, four-night itinerary in Hong Kong.

They will visit various tourist attractions including the Central Market, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+.

Mr Yeung said he hoped that they would find the experience fruitful and return to their home cities better equipped to promote Hong Kong amongst local residents, ultimately enhancing two-way tourism between the eight cities and Hong Kong.