Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has established a tourism federation aiming to build a world-class tourist destination.

Federation rules were approved at the first general assembly meeting held in Hengqin New Area on Dec 11. The inauguration ceremony is to be held during the 2017 Guangdong International Tourism & Culture Festival in Zhuhai from Dec 12 to 14.

Zhuhai Opera House on Yeli Island of Xiangzhou

Tourism administrations of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing were united into a comprehensive tourism cooperative group. Joining them were the Tourism Commission under the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Macao Government Tourism Office.

The groups' various tourism destinations will be cross-promoted under a more interactive cooperation mode. Anticipated are information exchanges, market sharing, and increased touring in the cooperating regions. The tourism sector will be integrated with other industries, according to the agreement.

This year's Guangdong tourism festival, to be held at the landmark Zhuhai Opera House on Yeli Island of Xiangzhou, will put the Greater Bay Area in focus, drawing attention to its abundant coastal tourism resources.

Zhuhai's Fisher Maiden under a blue sky [Photos provided by the Zhuhai Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau]

There will be a high-end summit, tour route promotions, and joint conferences for Guangdong cities and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

A highlight will be a tourism carnival providing hands-on exotic travel experiences, according to an organizer.