The Tourism Board chairman also said it is difficult to estimate the number of potential tourists lost as a result.

Speaking on the fringes of the City Forum one day after he publicly criticized Games organizers on radio, Tien said he hoped organizers of future major events will consider the potential of the overseas market.

His main complaint is organizers failed to reserve seats for events that potential tourists preferred to watch in the Games, which run from December 5-13.

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These tourists would also have supported their athletes in events not favored by local audiences. But he tried to play down the simmering row.

"The main goals of the organizer is to make the Games successful ... to sort out all relevant arrangements for the athletes and to make sure everything runs smoothly," Tien said. "Promoting tourism is not their major concern, as this is the job for the Tourism Board."

He said the damage caused is now beyond repair, as time is running out and the unsold tickets are for events in which locals have little interest.

Tien said when the board, acting last month on behalf of the tourism sectors of some East Asian countries, attempted to organize tours, it was told no tickets had been set aside, and that those wishing to attend had to book online.

He said a similar situation occurred during the Olympic equestrian events last year that Hong Kong hosted.

"We don't need discount tickets, nor do we need the best seats. But reserved tickets will help us arrange package tours to Hong Kong with the tourism sector."

Games organizers said they had reserved 1,000 tickets for the board in June, but had not received any ticket requests.

Games planning committee chairman Timothy Fok Tsun-ting said he had not received any complaint about the distribution of tickets until Saturday.

However, Tien said no request for tickets was made in June as the organizer had failed to provide a precise timetable of events or announce the names of potential athletes taking part.