ICONIC commercial streets in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao — once commercial rivals — are stepping up collaboration to help develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) into a more attractive global tourism destination. In September, Shenzhen’s Dongmen Pedestrian Street, Hong Kong’s Temple Street, and Macao’s Rua do Cunha will jointly host a food and culture carnival to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival (Oct. 6 this year), with synchronized events across the three cities. During the upcoming National Day holiday, travel agencies will offer a special itinerary that links the three streets so visitors can sample their distinct cultures in a single trip. The three streets are cultural and commercial landmarks in their respective cities. Dongmen in Shenzhen’s Luohu District, one of the city’s earliest and largest commercial hubs, has witnessed Shenzhen’s transformation. Rua do Cunha, formed in the late 19th century, is a pedestrian strip in Macao known for shops and restaurants that blend Chinese and Portuguese culinary and cultural influences. Temple Street, in Kowloon, is a famed open-air night market known for its late-night dining, fortune telling, and local commerce — an enduring emblem of traditional Hong Kong street life. These initiatives build on earlier agreements. Earlier this month, Dongmen and Rua do Cunha signed a cooperation pact to deepen collaboration in tourism promotion, cultural creativity, brand development, youth entrepreneurship, and smart commerce. Last July, Dongmen and Hong Kong’s Temple Street reached a similar agreement, which has since produced joint food festivals, group tours, and sports events. Shenzhen’s Dongmen Chamber of Commerce said the collaboration will stimulate consumption and promote cross-regional tourism products. Iun Ioc-va, chairman of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao, said the joint effort enriches travelers’ experiences and creates a stronger market presence to attract more international visitors, making the GBA a more compelling global tourism destination. To deepen cooperation, Iun proposed initiatives such as crossover pop-up stores to bring local specialties to other cities, youth maker markets showcasing innovative products, and a culinary festival featuring fusion dishes developed by invited chefs. He also urged the development of a mobile app that integrates merchant information, coupons, event calendars, and transport guides from the three regions to give tourists a convenient one-stop service. Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said the collaboration will promote the exchange of goods, people, and services while enabling each region to retain its unique cultural traditions. (SD News) | 