Officials and tourism industry representatives from Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macau have agreed to enhance communication among travel organisations to prevent the spread of infectious illness.

Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng and representatives of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Travel Industry Council met with their counterparts from the three jurisdictions in Guangzhou today.

They reviewed the measures taken by the industry during the outbreak of SARS and discussed further co-operation to boost the sector.

They agreed to enhance the communication system on reporting infectious illness cases.

If a tourist is found having infectious disease, the concerned travel agency should inform its government of the case so that it can be reported to the related departments of the other two places promptly.

They also agreed to launch a series of activities to boost tourism in the three jurisdictions, including inviting overseas counterparts to pay business visits.

A large-scale exhibition will be organised in Guangzhou next month to promote travel tours to Hong Kong and Macau.