Shenzhen needs to take more advantage of its proximity to Hong Kong in its bid to become a global tourist city, local tourism chief Li Xiaogan told an international conference on Friday (Oct 27th).

He said the city will promote its image as a young metropolis and seaside resort, plan international-level events, and enhance cooperation with the SAR to achieve that goal.

"Located in the vicinity of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is the only mainland city with a large airport, seaports, and border crossings. More than half of all those who entered and exited the Chinese mainland last year, 150 million people, traveled through Shenzhen," he said.

Shenzhen airport is the country's fourth-largest with 148 domestic routes and 11 international routes, receiving more than 10 million travelers annually.

The city is a popular tourist destination on the mainland, Li said, receiving nearly 58 million tourists last year. Of these, more than 21 million, including 6 million from overseas, stayed overnight. Foreign tourists spent US$2 billion in the city last year, accounting for 10 percent of the national total. "With around 10 million expats touring Hong Kong each year," Li said, "we can expect more to cross the border to visit Shenzhen."

Shenzhen boasts on its Dapeng Peninsula one of the country's top eight great coastlines and more than 20 beautiful beaches, accredited by the Chinese National Geography magazine. And with an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, outdoor activities can be enjoyed on more than 300 days a year. Although it lacks a long history or great mountains, Shenzhen has more than 50 scenic spots, including suburban parks and theme parks as well as attractive restaurants and hotels.

"The International Federation of PGA Tours has picked the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen to host the Golf World Cup for the next 12 years from 2007," Li said, "this will also help promote Shenzhen as an international tourist destination."

"But we can see our disadvantages clearly," he said. There are not that many international tourists in the city, compared with Hong Kong or Tokyo. Shenzhen's tourism income last year was only one-fifth of Hong Kong and Tokyo, one-eighth of Paris and one-12th of New York.

To build Shenzhen into a real international tourism city, Li said, his bureau will promote high-end products like golf tours and luxury cruises, and build more top-rate facilities. He said the city will also open more international flights.

The tourism chief referred to Rio de Janeiro's revelries to highlight the importance of creating unique international festivals in attracting foreign tourists. "We also need to capitalize on the vicinity to Hong Kong. The first step in going global is to enhance cooperation with Hong Kong and borrow from their talent and experience to upgrade our services."

Editor: Donald