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The Commissioner for Tourism, Miss Au King-chi, met three tour guide associations and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) today (April 23) to exchange views on the recently introduced measures against the unscrupulous sales practices of designated shops targetting at Mainland tour groups. The exchanges are frank and sincere. The participants are supportive of the measures and agree that all involved need to join hands to implement them.
These measures aim to combat the unscrupulous practices of a small group of industry participants operating on a “low tour fare, high commission” basis. They seek to promote a healthy, and sustainable development for the Hong Kong tourism industry and restore Hong Kong’s reputation as a “Shopping Paradise”. They represent the consensus of the trade, the Government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), and the Consumer Council. The China National Tourism Administration is also supportive of the measures and has undertaken to complement their implementation with appropriate measures in the Mainland.
The Tourism Commission has all along liaised closely with the trade, including the tour guide associations. At this afternoon’s meeting, the Commissioner listened carefully to the views and concern of the tour guide associations. She said that the Government fully understood the guides’concern about the new measures, which might affect the commission rebate arrangement amongst them, the travel agents and the shops. The Commissioner explained to the associations that the malpractice of a small group of industry participants had undermined the long term development of the Hong Kong tourism industry. This will not be tolerated by the Government, the trade or the public. Relevant industry participants must change their mode of operation and move on to the right track.
As regards the concern of the tour guides, the Government has already invited the TIC to consider improving the career development of tour guides receiving Mainland tour groups, including their employment and remuneration structure, and professional and continuous training. In the course of discussion, the TIC should listen to the views of the travel agents and tour guides serving Mainland tour groups, and draw reference from existing employment and remuneration structure of other travel agents, shops and tour guides. It should aim to identify a solution that is acceptable to both the travel agents and the tour guides. In response, the TIC has undertaken to follow up as soon as practicable. The Government is prepared to offer assistance and support where appropriate. For instance, the Government will continue to provide financial subsidies, through the Skill Upgrading Scheme, to assist tourist guides to update their professional knowledge and skill to cope with market changes. This is in addition to the $22 million financial subsidy already provided by the Government.
According to the information provided by the HKTB and the trade, there is an increasing number of Mainland tour group visitors joining the Quality Hong Kong Tours and more Hong Kong travel agents are interested in providing such tour service. The Government is pleased to note the development. The HKTB and the TIC will continue to promote such Quality Hong Kong Tours so as to provide quality choice to visitors as well as more job opportunities to tour guides.
The Commissioner expressed concern over the possibility of industrial action mooted by some tour guides during the May 1 Golden Week. She reminded that industry participants should consider the wider interest of the community and that of the tourism industry of Hong Kong.
On this, the Tourism Commission has already reached an agreement with TIC representatives last Friday (April 20) on a contingency plan. The TIC has reminded travel agents receiving Mainland tour groups to be prepared for the May 1 Golden Week. It has also reminded travel agents to honour their contractual obligations, to offer the pledged services to the tourists. Tourist guides should comply with the “Code of Conduct for Tourist Guides”. Any travel agents or tour guides breaching the TIC code or guidelines would be disciplined. If a tour guide does not comply with the guidelines, the concerned travel agent would also be held responsible. The Tourism Commission has also requested the TIC to closely liaise with the tour guide associations in order to make contingency arrangement, and facilitate travel agents to redeploy tour guides as need may arise.
Ends/Monday, April 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:18
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