Hong Kong Tourism Board launched the 2006 Hong Kong Shopping Festival Saturday evening, with a record participation of more than 7,800 outlets.

The two-month festival, running until August 31, will highlight six different facets of city's diverse shopping experience.

At the Launch Ceremony of 2006 Hong Kong Shopping Festival, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang said the shopping festival showcases Hong Kong's strength as a destination -- the astonishing diversity, the cutting-edge style and the amazing value that can be found everywhere in the city.

He said that with more mega events still to come, a kaleidoscope of culture and heritage waiting to be explored, there really is something for everyone in 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year.

He said Hong Kong has long prided itself as a premier tourism destination in the region. Last year, the visitor arrivals reached another new record of 23 million, with total inbound tourism expenditure exceeded US$13.5 billion.

More than 300 leaders of the global travel industry and media guests participated in the launch ceremony.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed the premiere of Aqua Fantasia, the festival's another event. The outdoor multimedia show featured colorful images and an ever-changing water curtain, synchronized with music.

The images and scenes include new tourism spot as Wetland Park as well as Micky Mouse from Hong Kong Disneyland.

The HKTB will once again organize the ever-popular Grand Lucky Draw, which will feature an unprecedented number of prizes.

Altogether, 113 prizes worth 2.7 million HK dollars (US$346, 000) will be available for the lucky winners, with the Grand Prize being an Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars watch valued at US$590,000 (US$75,641).

At the end of August, the winners will travel to Hong Kong for the final round of the contest. Apart from discovering Hong Kong's diverse shopping experience, they will enjoy the new and hidden attractions in the city.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2006)