The mystique of Central Asia and its deepening business ties with mainland China have prompted more Hongkongers to choose the region for holidays, according to travel agency heads.

They were also optimistic that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s high-level visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this week would further promote Central Asia, encouraging residents to step off the beaten path and explore the region’s lesser-known tourism spots.

Alex Lee Chun-ting, general manager of Miramar Travel, said the agency had started developing services to the Central Asia market more than two years ago.

Miramar now operated about eight to 10 tours to the region every year, with roughly 20 travellers taking part in each one, Lee explained.

“Many mainland conglomerates have stepped up their partnerships with their counterparts in Central Asia in recent years, and the region is no longer unfamiliar to those Hongkongers who work in these companies,” he said.

Lee added that more people from mainland China had settled in the region and were working as local tour operators, collaborating closely with travel agencies in Hong Kong.