The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) announced today (29 June) that the Pilot Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme for Travel Agents (Pilot Scheme) will be open for applications starting from 8 July 2016.

As announced in the 2016-17 Budget by the Financial Secretary, the Government has allocated HK$10 million for setting up the Pilot Scheme to subsidise, through the TIC and on a matching basis, SME travel agents with fewer than 50 employees in Hong Kong for adopting information technology to expand business and raise productivity and service quality, thus boosting their competitive edge in the local or overseas market.

Under the Pilot Scheme, each eligible travel agent will be subsidised for one project only, with the funding ceiling capped at 50% of the total approved cost or HK$100,000 (whichever is lower). Each travel agent grantee is required to enter into a funding agreement with the TIC and contribute in cash not less than 50% of the total approved cost of its project. After the travel agent grantee completes the project within 12 months and submits relevant documents to the TIC in accordance with the funding agreement, the TIC will arrange grant disbursement.

As the implementation partner and secretariat of the Pilot Scheme, the TIC is responsible for handling enquiries and applications and providing administrative support for the work of an independent Vetting Committee. Responsible for vetting all applications, the Vetting Committee is composed of representatives from the travel industry, information technology experts, independent persons outside the travel industry and representatives from government departments.

The Pilot Scheme will be open for applications every four months, with each application period lasting for two months. The first round of applications will be open from 8 July 2016 to 7 September 2016. For details about application for the Pilot Scheme, please browse the TIC’s website (<www.tichk.org>→ “Services for Members” → “Matching Fund”).

For any enquiries, please contact the secretariat of the Pilot Scheme (tel: 2969-8127; fax: 2510-9779; email: [email protected]).