The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) expresses its deep regret as the protests have escalated drastically in the past few days, making the travel industry one of the hardest hit.

As the protests have continued for nearly four months, several mega events, including the Hong Kong Cyclothon and the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival scheduled for the fourth quarter this year and the FIA Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix to be held by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile in the first quarter next year, have been cancelled for safety reasons. The cancellation of these mega events seriously affects the reputation and international image of Hong Kong’s tourism industry, which is most regrettable. 

The business of the travel industry has been further impacted as a travel agent has become the target of the protestors in the past few days and some other travel agents have had to close their shops earlier because of the protests. The TIC strongly believes that travel agents will attach importance to the safety of inbound visitors and outbound travellers and their staff and hopes that normal business activities will not be hampered.

The TIC appeals to the Hong Kong SAR Government to restore social order as soon as possible so that the travel industry can recover at the earliest.