Hong Kong and the Philippines have pledged to step up co-operation as tourism partners.

The goal comes with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Hong Kong today by HK Tourism Board Chairman Selina Chow and Philippine Convention & Visitors Corporation Chairman Richard Gordon.

Mr Gordon has come to Hong Kong to attend the joint Boao Forum for Asia and the World Tourism Organisation conference on Revitalising Asian Tourism.

He said the memorandum represents a strategic economic partnership under which the respective tourism organisations will explore mutually beneficial opportunities to revive bilateral tourist traffic.

It will eventually bring the level of visitor exchanges to new heights.

Mrs Chow hoped the signing will generate new tourism business between the two destinations.

Apart from strengthening their co-operation on overseas marketing and promotion, the memorandum covers a number of other mutually beneficial areas including trade and media familiarisation trips, and conventions, exhibitions and corporate meetings.

The Philippines is Hong Kong's second largest source market for visitors in Southeast Asia, contributing over 329,000 arrivals last year.

Over 271,000 Hong Kong residents chose the Philippines as a travel destination in 2002.