TIC

TIC submits reform proposal to Government

2011-07-15

Chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) Mr Michael Wu submitted a reform proposal today (15 July) to Commissioner for Tourism Mr Philip Yung.

Putting much emphasis on the Government’s current review of the operation and regulatory framework of the tourism sector, the TIC has widely consulted the views of the trade, including travel agents and trade associations, in order that its reform proposal will be most conducive to the industry and Hong Kong.

The TIC’s reform proposal, which has absorbed the merits of the reform options put forth by the Government and the views of the industry, includes the following four major points:

(1)	The two-tier regulatory framework will be retained, but the codes of conduct and directives formulated by the TIC will need to be approved by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development before implementation.
(2)	The Government will establish two independent committees responsible for handling non-compliance cases and appeals respectively.
(3)	The TIC Board will have four more independent directors and one government official as ex-officio director in order that non-trade directors, who will become 17 in number, will become the majority of the Board. There will continue to be eight elected trade directors and eight Association Member representatives on the Board. Trade and independent directors will be eligible to stand for the Chairman election.
(4)	The TIC will not object to the Government’s introducing licensing systems for tourist guides and outbound tour escorts.

TIC Chairman Mr Michael Wu remarked, “After several rounds of consultation, the reform proposal finally hammered out by the TIC has won the support of a great number of industry members: up until now, seven trade associations, over 400 travel agents and over 700 trade practitioners have affirmed their support for it.”

“We believe that the TIC has contributed much to the regulation and continuous development of the industry over the years, and its contributions should not be ignored,” stressed Mr Wu. “Besides, most travel agents and tourist guides have wholeheartedly devoted themselves to quality service for tourists, which matters much to Hong Kong’s tourism and economy. As such it is hardly advisable for the Government to resort to over-regulation, which will stifle the healthy development of the industry, just because of a few black sheep.”

Please click here for the full text of the TIC’s reform proposal (in Chinese only).

2011_07_15a — TIC Chairman Mr Michael Wu submits the TIC’s reform proposal to Commissioner for Tourism Mr Philip Yung.

2011_07_15b — A representative of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents delivers letters of support for the TIC’s reform proposal to the Commissioner for Tourism.

2011_07_15c — A representative of the International Chinese Tourist Association delivers letters of support for the TIC’s reform proposal to the Commissioner for Tourism.

2011_07_15d — A representative of the Hongkong Taiwan Tourist Operators Association delivers letters of support for the TIC’s reform proposal to the Commissioner for Tourism.

2011_07_15e — A representative of the Hong Kong Association of China Travel Organisers delivers letters of support for the TIC’s reform proposal to the Commissioner for Tourism.

2011_07_15f — A representative of the Hong Kong Outbound Tour Operators’ Association delivers letters of support for the TIC’s reform proposal to the Commissioner for Tourism.

2011_07_15g — A representative of the Hongkong Japanese Tour Operators Association delivers letters of support for the TIC’s reform proposal to the Commissioner for Tourism.

2011_07_15h — A representative of the Hong Kong Inbound Travel Association delivers letters of support for the TIC’s reform proposal to the Commissioner for Tourism.

2011_07_15i — Representatives from the TIC and trade associations with Commissioner for Tourism Mr Philip Yung.