Grand opening: Financial Secretary Henry Tang and guests at the official Ngong Ping 360 opening ceremony.

Financial Secretary Henry Tang says the hiccups that occurred during the Ngong Ping cable car's initial stage of operation are acceptable, adding the operator has been urged to improve its notification mechanism.

He told reporters today the cable car, the world's largest in terms of passenger flow and length, has suspended service eight times since September 18, with three cases related to high winds and five system and mechanical problems.

Noting the system serves mainly as a tourist attraction, Mr Tang said it offers a spectacular panoramic view of Lantau Island's beautiful landscape. It also gives visitors convenient access to explore other intriguing parts of the island, such as the quaint fishing village of Tai O, charming beaches in the island's south, and historical sites in Mui Wo.

He said Hong Kong's tourism industry is performing well this year, with visitor arrivals up 10% in the first nine months to about 19 million. Arrivals from the Mainland were particularly strong and grew 11% to 10 million.

Mr Tang said the Government will continue investing in tourism infrastructure and improve service quality to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a premier destination.