Britain and Ireland’s tourism bodies have latched onto each other this year for the 2009 Destination Britain & Ireland in a strategic move to capture the world’s attention.

The symbiotic relationship officially kicked off Monday night with over 150 travel industry professionals from over 15 countries worldwide attend a gala dinner at JW Marriott in Hong Kong.

Before dinner was served, VisitBritain Chairman Christopher Rodrigues, Tourism Ireland CEO Paul O’Toole, Air Asia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani and WEGO CEO Martin Symes engaged in a panel debate regarding the challenges and opportunities in the industry.

They all agreed that in the face of the economic climate, products and services needed to be dynamic and creative in order to be successfully sold.

Osman-Rani pointed to Air Asia X’s packaging of airfares with tickets to events such as concerts or sporting events, which Rodrigues agreed, was an innovative way to attract visitors to a destination.

“Events are so powerful for a call to action” said Rodrigues.

Attendees also participated in the discussion, with one supplier pointing out that Ireland’s extension of welcome to those in Asia provided a paradox, as the Irish government did not give out visas to citizens of mainland China.

In response, O’Toole said it was definitely an issue Tourism Ireland was working on and assured industry members that they were lobbying against the government to get it changed.