The Hong Kong Tourism Board will launch the 2007 Hong Kong Shopping Festival from June 30 to August 31 to tie in with the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Lambert Chan, general manager, destination marketing of the HKTB said that the mega summer shopping promotion, which is organized by the HKTB for the sixth consecutive year, has become a firm fixture on the city's events calendar.

"Over the past years, our Festival has gained tremendous support from the retail, catering and tourism-related sectors," Chan remarked. "This year, the HKTB has also enlisted the participation of a new partner from the transportation sector – MTR Corporation – to boost visitors' spending."

Under the partnership, the two organizations will for the first time jointly introduce a shopping guide MTR Easy Ride to Hong Kong Shopping Festival, which will feature shopping, dining and sightseeing recommendations in major tourism districts along the MTR and a collection of shopping offers from various MTR Station Shops. Visitors who purchase the MTR Tourist 1-Day Pass or Airport Express Tourist Octopus will receive a free copy of the shopping guide.

In addition to MTR Corporation, different sectors across the city have confirmed their participation in the Festival. They will extend a host of special offers for local residents and visitors, some of which will be themed around the 10th anniversary of the HKSAR. For example, over 200 dining establishments will offer special drinks or dishes at HK$10 each. The city's major tourism attractions, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong, will also introduce a variety of promotions.

Joining the HKTB to conjure up a citywide festive ambiance will be Ocean Park Hong Kong, which will arrange its two panda mascots, Le Le and Ying Ying, to perform at shopping centers in major tourism districts on specific dates. A number of shopping locations, such as open-air markets, themed shopping streets, authentic Chinese clusters, shopping malls and MTR stations, will also put up Hong Kong Shopping Festival decorations to create even more buzz and excitement in the city.