Some 30 delegations from Hong Kong tourism circles Tuesday attended an exchange meeting here.

Members from Hong Kong hotels, travel agencies and scenic spots consulted with their mainland counterparts and held negotiations.

"The meeting offers a good opportunity for mainland travel agencies to know more about Hong Kong, and will promote mutual development as well as make up for the disadvantages in each other 's tourism industry," according to Jin Minhao, a senior official with Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Over 13 million people visited Hong Kong last year, including 29 percent of mainland visitors.

The latest statistics show that more than 1.16 million mainland tourists traveled to Hong Kong in May, up 9 percent compared with the same month last year.

(Xinhua 07/17/2001)