Closer ties: Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip and China National Tourism Administration Chairman He Guangwei at the agreement signing ceremony.

Tourism co-operation and exchange between Hong Kong and the Mainland is set to get even closer, thanks to the signing of a new agreement today.

Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip signed the agreement with China National Tourism Administration Chairman He Guangwei.

Mr Ip said the agreement marked a milestone in the development of the tourism industries for both places.

Under the agreement, Hong Kong and the Mainland will:

* encourage more travel between the two places;

* support the tourism industry via mutual tourism trade and forum;

* step up tourism publicity overseas to attract more tourists to the two places; and,

* take measures to protect tourist rights.

It is expected that the agreement will bring more business opportunities for the tourism industry. Both sides will also strengthen co-operation to promote tourism development and products more actively.

Meanwhile, a 43-member delegation comprising Mainland senior officials of the tourism authorities started their three-day visit in Hong Kong today.

Led by Mr He, they will exchange experiences with the Tourism Commission, the HK Tourism Board and the tourism industry.