TIC

Invitation on the application for organizing Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Local Tour from 3 December 2022 to 26 March 2023

2022-10-21

With the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy devised by the HKSAR Government, the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area located in the northern New Territories was opened in early June 2022. Travel agents are allowed to organize local group tours to go sightseeing and take a ferry at the Pier to visit neighbouring places including Lai Chi Wo and Kat O on designated dates. Its aim is to let the members of the public have a deep understanding of its history and culture, natural scenery, and tourist attractions.

The Council is entrusted to deal with the allocation of application rights of applying for tourist permits to the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area. Licensed travel agents, who intend to apply, must read and understand all the contents, terms and conditions, and confirm that they can provide relevant services. Once the application is submitted, it means acceptance of the terms and constraints stipulated in this invitation letter.

Details of inviting licensed travel agents as service providers for the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Local Tour project are as follows:

Departure Date (Operation Day)	Selected Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 3 December 2022 to 26 March 2023 (both dates inclusive).
Qualification for application	Licensed travel agents who have obtained the proof document(s) on a conditional exemption, from 21 April to 20 October 2022 (both dates inclusive), for licensed travel agencies to organize local tours of not more than 30 and/or 100 persons; and Licensed travel agents have registered local tour itineraries with the Council.
Available Quota	Each quota equals to one Operation Day
Time slot to enter the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area	Three time slots to enter the designated area in Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area are available on each Operation Day. Not more than 100 persons including tourists, tourist guides, tour escorts and drivers are allowed in each time slot. Pick-up and drop-off space for three coaches is provided.
Number of Tour Groups on Each Operation Day	9 groups for not more than 30 persons (including tourists, tourist guides, tour escorts, and drivers); or 3 groups for not more than 100 persons (including tourists, tourist guides, tour escorts, and drivers) Licensed travel agents must provide not less than 50% of the available tour group space to the public for booking.
Application of Permit to the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area	Selected licensed travel agents have to apply the permits to Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area with the Hong Kong Police directly. All tourist coach, drivers, tourist guides, tour escorts and working staff are required to apply and obtain the permits in advance.
Local Tour Itinerary	Local tour group itinerary must include a visit to the designated area of Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area, the Public Pier, and Lai Chi Wo by boat.
Tourist Guides / Tour Escort	Travel agents must employ tourist guides or tour escorts who have completed the physical training course or online course on Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area organized by the Council to guide the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Local Tour.
Allocation of the rights to apply permit	If the total of number of applicants is more than the available Operation Day, a draw will be conducted to draw out the successful applicants according to the available operation day on 31 October 2022.
Application Method	In making the application, licensed travel agents have to upload a proposed itinerary that must include the visit to Sha Tau Kok designated area*, Sha Tau Kok Public Pier to Lai Chi Wo by boat (Please note that this is an itinerary plan, not necessary be the final itinerary). Licensed travel agents have to make the application through the link here.
Application Deadline	On or before 5:00 p.m. on 27 October 2022 Any applications after the deadline will not be accepted.
Announcement Date	31 October 2022
Terms	All successful licensed travel agents by drawing lots and assigned the rights to apply for the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Permit must attend the project briefing session organized by the Council on 2 November 2022. Licensed travel agents must fill up at least 80% of the quota, allocated for each departure date. If the licensed travel agent fails to achieve the 80% threshold, they will not be eligible to participate in the next round of Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Local Tour application. Licensed travel agents must strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of entering the Sha Tau Kok Frontier closed area as stipulated by the government. Violation of the rules will lead to the illegibility of making any application in all future Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area local tour quota allocation. Licensed travel agents who have been allocated the rights to apply must promote and sell Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Local Tour. The rights to apply for the permit to enter the Sha Tau Kok Frontier closed area cannot be transferred to other travel agents.

*The designated area in Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area is referring to the area that is next to the Sha Tau Kok Public Area which is used as carpark and area for the small hawker stall.

Please kindly read and confirm your understanding of the above details, and terms and conditions before hand in your application.