Hong Travel Industry Council will tighten rules for inbound tour organizers following the multiplication of scams mostly against Mainland Chinese travellers–especially linked to “shopping tours”. A new regulation will come into force by the end of April.
HONG KONG- It is a practice well known for many years. Some shady inbound tour operators –mostly dealing with Mainland Chinese- lure travellers with cheap shopping tours, force them to shop until drop. But worst, they do not provide the services they are claiming to include in their packages. Over the Chinese New Year, many groups of travellers complained about bad practices. Hong Kogn newspaper South China Morning Post reported that one travel group was forced to sleep in a bus as no hotel was booked in contrary to the advertising. In another case, seven tourists had to share one night in an bedroom intended only for four people!
Such dishonest practices can only tarnish the reputation of Hong Kong as they give the wrong impression that the former British colony is filled by tugs looking only at ways to rip off Mainland Chinese travellers. This is only a minority but serious action against these scams must be taken.
Hong Kong Travel Industry Council is now imposing new control measures to ensure visitors to Hong Kong to have an enjoyable stay in the city. From April 29, inbound tour organisers will have to submit proof to the council that they had booked accommodation for their tour members before arriving into Hong Kong. Agencies will have to provide the name of the hotel, the address, the total number of rooms booked as well as the confirmation number. All the details must be submitted two days before arrival.
Agencies failing to comply will be financially sanctioned. In case of repeat offense, the agency licence might even be revocated. Agencies will have also to submit the intended length of stay and the list of shopping points visited.
Speaking to the SCMP, Michael Li Hon-shing, Executive Director of Hong Kong Federation of Hotel Owners, expressed his hope that the new rules would eradicate improper practices. In 2012, Hong Kong recorded 48.62 million visitors arrivals up by 16%. Of this number, 34.91 million were from mainland China, which consequently has a market share of 71.8% of all arrivals. By comparison, Taiwan was Hong Kong’s second largest market with total arrivals reaching 2.09 million in 2012…
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
