Hong Kong Tourism Board, one of the city's influential agencies, Friday appointed Anthony Lau as its new executive director together with Daisy Lam as deputy executive director.

Their appointments will take effect on August 1 and September 1respectively.

Secretary for Economic Development and Labor under Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government Stephen Ip welcomed the appointments, saying they have extensive experience in marketing and management.

Tourism Board Chairman James Tien said their deep knowledge of the local and international markets and their superb management skills will help the board market and promote Hong Kong worldwide, and meet new challenges and opportunities amid intensified competition in the global tourism market.

"They will lead the organization to even closer collaboration with travel-trade partners, and help strengthen Hong Kong's position as one of the world's premier destinations," he said.

Lau once worked in Philip Morris Singapore General Manager for about 20 years and held a range of senior management positions, including director of sales and marketing and general manager, for different markets.

Lam is currently Octopus Cards' Operations Director and once worked for international corporations including Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, responsible for market development and operations management.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2007)