316 Travel and Tourism
Mainland tour group visitors unhappy with their purchases may return the goods. and seek refund within 180 days of purchase, provided the goods are in proper condition.
The Government worked with the TIC to introduce 10 measures in February 2011 to tighten the arrangements for receiving Mainland tour groups in Hong Kong. The measures include key points that must be incorporated in the contract between Mainland travel agents, organising group tours, and the Hong Kong travel agents receiving the groups, promulgated jointly with the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). A note was also disseminated through the CNTA to raise Mainland tourists' awareness of their consumer rights in Hong Kong.
The HKTB also introduced in 2006 a 'Quality & Honest Hong Kong Tours' arrangement in the Mainland that is guaranteed free of compulsory self-paid activities, guided shopping and imposition of surcharges. These tours were offered at 32 counters in 27 Mainland cities and 52 online travel portals at the end of 2011.
Hospitality initiatives
Hospitality is essential to sustaining tourism. The Government runs a 'Hong Kong Young Ambassador Scheme' to train young people to be polite and helpful to visitors and to develop a strong hospitality culture in schools and in the community. More than 2 200 young people have joined the programme so far and have rendered more than 180 000 hours of ambassadorial service.
Easier Entry for Visitors
Hong Kong is one of the world's most immigration-friendly cities. Travellers from some 170 countries and territories enjoy visa-free access to the city for stays of between seven and 180 days.
The Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), introduced by the Mainland, permits citizens. of 49 designated Mainland cities to visit Hong Kong on their own instead of in tour groups. More than 18.34 million Mainlanders visited Hong Kong under the scheme in 2011, representing about 65 per cent of all Mainland arrivals.
The one-year multiple-entry IVS endorsement for Shenzhen permanent residents. to visit Hong Kong are being well received. A total of 6.17 million Shenzhen residents visited Hong Kong using this endorsement in 2011.
Protection of Travellers
Travel agents must obtain a licence from the Government to carry out travel business as stipulated in the Travel Agents Ordinance. They are required to be a member of the TIC. The TIC investigates complaints against travel agents and takes disciplinary actions against agents who do not observe its rules. There were 1 606 licensed travel agents at the end of 2011.
A Travel Industry Compensation Fund (TICF) provides ex gratia payments of up to 90 per cent of the loss of tour fares to outbound travellers in the event of a