Government launches Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme
***************************************************************************
The application period of the first phase of the Scheme started today and will be open until November 30, 2023. Eligible travel agents may receive cash incentives in respect of each participant of a cultural and heritage sites local tour they serve. There are basic and advanced versions of cash incentives. The application criteria and requirements are as follows:
- Basic version: Each eligible travel agent may apply for the basic version of cash incentives, which amounts to $200 for each participant of a cultural and heritage sites local tour it serves, and the quota for applying for the cash incentives is 1 000 participants; and
- Advanced version: Each eligible travel agent may apply for the advanced version of cash incentives, which amounts to $400 for each participant of a cultural and heritage sites local tour it serves, and the quota for applying for the cash incentives is 200 participants.
In respect of application for the basic version of cash incentives of cultural and heritage sites local tours, the itinerary must be received by licensed tourist guides/tour escorts and cover at least two cultural and heritage sites recognised under the Scheme, as well as transportation, meal and insurance arrangements meeting the Scheme's requirements. In respect of application for the advanced version of cash incentives of the cultural and heritage sites local tours, apart from meeting the Scheme's requirements on transportation as well as meal and insurance arrangements, the relevant itinerary must also cover at least one cultural and heritage site and one tourist experience activity comprising local cultural and heritage elements recognised under the Scheme, and be received by licensed tourist guides/tour escorts who have completed cultural and heritage training courses recognised by the Scheme.
To complement the application criteria of the advanced version of cash incentives, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC), as the implementation agent of the Scheme, will collaborate with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to organise free docent training courses for licensed tourist guides and tour escorts, so as to further enhance the service quality of practitioners of the tourism industry.
The Government has earmarked a total financial commitment of $600 million for the Scheme in the 2022-23 Budget. Application details of the Scheme are available on the website of the TIC (www.tichk.org).
Ends/Thursday, October 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
NNNN