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Travel and Tourism
Information Network
The HKTB has four visitor service centres in Hong Kong: on the Peak, in Tsim Sha Tsui, at the Hong Kong International Airport and at the Lo Wu boundary crossing.
A 'Hong Kong Pals Programme, launched in 2009 for local residents to share their recommendations with visitors, continues to be popular.
The HKTB website www.discoverhongkong.com offers travel information in 21 versions and 14 languages. In 2012, the HKTB rolled out a new version of the website, with new features to facilitate visitors' pre-trip planning and to integrate better with social media platforms. The HKTB also promotes Hong Kong's many attractions and events through mobile applications and online campaigns via social networking sites.
Marketing
The HKTB spearheads promotional programmes in major tourist source markets. It continued using 'Hong Kong - Asia's World City' as its marketing theme in 2012 to highlight Hong Kong's vibrancy, fusion of East and West, cosmopolitan lifestyle and the wide variety of tourist attractions and experiences.
Service Quality
Honest and Good Quality Tourist Services
The Government works closely with the tourism industry and related organisations to promote honest and good quality services for tourists. The Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department carry out inspections and enforcement action to protect consumers' rights. In July, amendments to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance were enacted, targeting common unfair trade practices. The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) inspects tour operations and registered shops regularly. It also operates a 'Refund Protection Scheme for Registered Shops' which allows Mainland tour group visitors unhappy with their purchases to return the goods and seek a 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's 'Quality & Honest Hong Kong Tours' from the Mainland are guaranteed free of compulsory self-paid activities, guided shopping and any surcharges. These tours were offered in 27 Mainland cities at the end of 2012.
The HKTB's Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme to promote good quality services at shops, restaurants, visitor accommodation facilities and hair salons is widely supported and by the end. of 2012 some 1,320 local establishments with over 7,800 outlets had earned QTS accreditation.
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