Hong Kong is stepping up its preparation for the coming tourism season in the next two months as Ngong Ping Skyrail entered its second day of testing Thursday.

The skyrail is a 5.7 km cable car journey, traveling between Tung Chung Town Center and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. Guests can enjoy some of the best views in Hong Kong, including Tian Tan Buddha Statue, as their cable car cabin glides over the South China Sea and North Lantau Country Park within 20 to 25 minutes.

The skyrail is expected to start the operation on Aug. 24, but had to be delayed because of a computer problem, which made some 500 passengers hanging in their cabin for about 2 hours during a test in June.

The operator said Wednesday that if the skyrail passes the 7- day test, they will consider start its operation before the week- long National Day Holiday, when tourists from the Chinese mainland swarm in.

Besides the skyrail, the revitalized peak tower gives its preview to the media Tuesday. The new design has moved the viewing terrace to the top of the tower and thus provides the visitors with a stunning 360-degree views across Hong Kong.

The owner of the tower, Properties and Clubs of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels limited, invested more than 100 million HK dollars (about 12.58 million U.S. dollars) for the revitalization program and hope the tower can become Hong Kong's most sought- after dining destination and a must-go place for tourists.

They predicted that after the new decoration and the introduction of high taste restaurants, the visitors of the tower will reach 5 million a year.

Meanwhile, the two major theme parks in Hong Kong also decide to grasp the chance in promoting visitors. Hong Kong Disneyland said it is preparing to add more magic in the park by providing special events and entertainment programs during next two months to celebrate its first year in Hong Kong, while the Ocean Park said after the Caribbean Summer Splash, the annual Halloween program will continue to produce stunning fun for its guests.

At the same time, a mobile phone tour guide began to serve tourists this month. The new system launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board with the cooperation of five mobile phone networks can provide instant information to visitors in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

The Tourism Board hoped the new system can boost local tourism by providing information on shopping, dining and sightseeing to tourists in the city.

According to the latest statistics, visitor arrivals in Hong Kong reached 2.18 million in July and the total arrivals of the first 7 months reached 14.38 million, up 10.3 percent over the same period last year.

The Tourism Board believes the newly developed resorts and entertaining programs can bring more tourists in the coming tourism season.  

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2006)