Although the World Health Organisation and the United States Centers for Disease Control & Prevention have lifted their Hong Kong travel advisories, it will take time to rebuild foreign visitors' confidence, the Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman says.

Speaking on an RTHK programme this morning, Selina Chow said that as Hong Kong is still on the list of infected areas, it is not a good time to launch an extensive - and expensive - overseas promotion to woo tourists back.

Instead, Hong Kong should use different channels to promote good news - including the lifting of travel advisories by major health authorities.

She said the most important job now is to control the spread of SARS.

Mrs Chow stressed that Hong Kong still has plenty of attractions for foreign visitors, despite the SARS outbreak.

Apart from being a shopping paradise, she said, Hong Kong's cultural and historical spots, as well as green tours are major drawing cards.