Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Thursday his government will coordinate with tourism related departments in solving "happy problems" caused by the surge of the tourist arrivals.

Tung made the remarks after meeting representatives of the tourism sector at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on Thursday afternoon.

He said that supported by the central government and Guangdong provincial government, there is a surge of arrivals in Hong Kong and the trend is expected to maintain for one or two years.

The chief executive said Hong Kong has to prepare enough hotel rooms, improve its services in retail stores and catering sectors.

He believed that high quality service together with rational price can attract tourists to Hong Kong among many other competitive neighbors that also have many beautiful scenic spots.

He said it is his government's work to ensure normal passenger flow in the crosscheck points and the development of new science spots.

Tung said he was glad to exchange views with personnel from the tourism sector and the most important thing is to see what can the government do for further tourism development.

He said that after allowing residents in additional five Chinese mainland cities to apply for travel to Hong Kong on an individual basis and the building of Disneyland at the end of 2005,the demand for hotel rooms and for all sorts of hospitality services will continue to increase, and Hong Kong should prepare for that while solving the short-term problems.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2003)