The Government has announced the launch of the Phase 2 of the Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme (CTIS) to further encourage the travel trade to develop more in-depth itineraries with different distinctive themes, so as to attract inbound tourists to explore unique local characteristics of Hong Kong. The enhanced measures for the Phase 2 of CTIS will take effect on 1 October 2024.
Eligible travel agents are required to develop in-depth travel itineraries under 6 distinctive themes, namely Great Green Escape, Water Adventure, Legacy of Joy, HK Pop Culture, Journey Through National History, and Unconventional Journey. From 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive of both dates), travel agents may receive cash incentive in respect of each inbound tourist served from their eligible tours. The level of incentives and quotas are as follows:
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Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme (Phase Two) |
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Participants |
Inbound tourists |
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| Amount of cash incentive for each eligible travel agent in respect of each participant of the cultural and heritage sites local tour it arranges (HK$) | $400 | |||
| Cash incentive participant quota for each eligible travel agent | 250 | |||
| Incentive Amount Limit per Eligible Travel Agent (HK$) | $100,000 | |||
Important notes: the quota for all travel agents will be newly allocated on 1 October 2024. In other words, any unused quota of travel agents in Phase 1 will not be applicable to the Phase 2 of the Scheme.
Eligible CTIS tour must complete the pre-registration of the tour itinerary through an e-registration form prior to tour departure, and the application for cash incentives must be submitted online no later than 30 April 2025. Incomplete pre-registration of tour itinerary and/or late applications will not be processed by TIC.
For details of the Scheme, please click into the Guide to Application(updated version).
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Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme (Phase Two) Forms: |
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Please read carefully the Guide to Application(updated version) before making submissions.
Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme (Phase One)
Application Period: 1 January to 31 October 2024
The Government launched the three-year Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme (CHIS) in October 2022 which aims at incentivizing the travel trade to develop more tourism products and itineraries with cultural and heritage elements. CHIS received enthusiastic response from the trade with characteristic tourism products rolled out one after another. As such, the Government announced in the 2023 Policy Address that CHIS will be transformed into Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme (CTIS) to provide more in-depth itinerary design, training, etc., with a view to encouraging the trade to develop more thematic tours, including national history, green ecology, marine, traditional culture, pop culture, intangible cultural heritage experiences, night time adventure, etc., thereby promoting the long-term and sustainable development of tourism industry.
Eligible travel agents may receive cash incentives in respect of each participant from local and/or inbound tour with local characteristic they serve during the period between 1 January and 30 September 2024. There are two types of cash incentives, i.e. in-depth travel (Category A) and thematic travel (Category B) with different levels of incentives and quotas for each type:
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In-depth travel (Category A) |
Thematic travel (Category B) |
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Participants |
Local |
Inbound |
Local |
Inbound |
| Amount of cash incentive for each eligible travel agent in respect of each participant of the cultural and heritage sites local tour it arranges (HK$) | $200 | $200 | $400 | $400 |
| Cash incentive participant quota for each eligible travel agent | 100* | 100 | 100* | 100 |
| Incentive Amount Limit per Eligible Travel Agent (HK$) | $20,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 | $40,000 |
Eligible CTIS tour must complete the pre-registration of the tour itinerary through an e-registration form prior to tour departure, and the application for cash incentives must be submitted online no later than 31 October 2024. Incomplete pre-registration of tour itinerary and/or late applications will not be accepted by TIC.
For details of the Scheme, please click into the Guide to Application. Guide to Application has been refined with further explanations about photo requirements, tour receipts/invoices, participant list and “Thematic Travel（Category B）- Itinerary Design Requirements and Assessment Criteria” Annex IV”. The revised guidelines supersede the previous versions issued. In addition, the due date for “Departure Date Registration” has been adjusted to at least 3 days prior to the departure date of the tour.
CTIS Forms:
| In-depth travel (Category A) | Thematic travel (Category B) |
| Itinerary pre-registration of form (Category A) |
Itinerary pre-registration of form (Category B) |
| Registration form for departure date (Category A) |
Registration form for departure date (Category B) |
| Application form for cash incentives (Category A) / The participant list | Application form for cash incentives (Category B) / The participant list |
Please read carefully the Guide to Application before making submissions.
Enquiries:
- Tel：2969 8149
- Email：CTIS@tichk.org