Following the suspension of cableway service of Ngong Ping 360, the Hong Kong Tourism Board says it has already informed local and overseas travel trade and visitors through various channels.

On June 11, a cable car cabin capable of carrying up to 17 people was empty when it broke free and fell the equivalent of 13 storeys from its cable. Nobody was hurt.

The HKTB says it has also immediately suspended its overseas promotion of the cableway service. Locally, the HKTB says it has posted notices at its Visitor Information & Services Centres in town and service counters at the entry ports, and arranged recorded messages for its Visitor Hotline so as to proactively inform visitors about the service suspension. Simultaneously, the HKTB will promote other attractions on Lantau Island, such as the Giant Buddha, Wisdom Path and Ngong Ping Village, to visitors.

To ensure that visitors receive the latest information, the HKTB has arranged staff to manually remove references to Ngong Ping 360 and will shortly post labels about the service suspension in its publications.

As regards overseas promotions, the HKTB has touched base with its worldwide offices and temporarily suspended placement for advertising on Ngong Ping 360 in all long- and short-haul markets, including the US, Canada, Australia, Mainland China, Taiwan and South Korea. Such will be replaced by advertisements on other attractions or mega events. However, there is a possibility that promotional videos and advertisement previously arranged may feature Ngong Ping 360, as well as those publicity materials distributed to visitors earlier on.

The HKTB says it will endeavour to make use of the above channels to provide visitors with the latest information.
Meanwhile, the HKTB has issued circular on the service suspension to travel-trade partners in both Hong Kong and overseas, and recommended that they revise their tour itineraries.

Hong Kong enjoys rich and diverse tourism assets, and Ngong Ping 360 is one of the city's wide array of attractions. The HKTB will strengthen its promotions of Hong Kong's multi-faceted appeal, including its distinctive living culture, its natural wonders and other attractions. The HKTB will also ride on the upcoming Hong Kong Shopping Festival in July and August 2007 to highlight Hong Kong's unbeatable shopping strengths.

The HKTB will continue to monitor the developments closely.