By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong will collaborate on increasing tourist flow in both places, and both governments have agreed to take part in each other’s cultural events.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) agreed on the collaboration after exchanging tourism data on the performance of their respective tourism sectors in 2009 and 2010.
Tourism in Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi was low in 2009, with the Asian region receiving around 29.5 million visitors, a rise of only 0.3 percent from 2008, while Abu Dhabi recorded only two percent increase in its total number of guests.
Hong Kong authorities said the Gulf region, India and Russia were its top three emerging markets, while the Abu Dhabi authorities said Hong Kong has played a key role in its greater China market development strategy.
Hong Kong asked Abu Dhabi to participate in its annual Chinese New Year Street Parade, while Abu Dhabi asked Hong Kong to become involved in its annual Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary festival following this year’s highly successful Chinese cooking events.