18
Travel and Tourism
Hong Kong Tourism Board
The HKTB is a statutory government-subvented organisation, responsible for marketing and promoting Hong Kong around the world as a preferred travel destination. It comprises 20 members from various tourism-related sectors and community leaders. In addition to its Hong Kong head office, it has 16 offices worldwide and has representatives in six source markets.
Information Network
The HKTB has five visitor centres in Hong Kong: on the Peak, in Tsim Sha Tsui, at the Hong Kong International Airport, at the Lo Wu boundary crossing and (during ship calls) at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
A 'Hong Kong Pals Programme', launched in 2009 for local residents to share their recommendations with visitors, continues to be popular.
The HKTB website offers travel information in 22 versions and 15 languages. In 2014, the HKTB continued to enhance the website 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 the promotion of Hong Kong in major tourist source markets and strives to offer the best experiences for visitors. The HKTB adopts 'Hong Kong Asia's World City' as a destination brand to highlight Hong Kong's dynamism, cosmopolitan lifestyle and cultural diversity. Visitors can experience a vibrant living culture with a variety of attractions and a blend of East and West.
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 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 also works with the TIC to enhance consumer protection and to ensure the healthy development and operation of the tourism market. Laws such as the Trade Descriptions Ordinance are also in place to prohibit unfair trade practices and protect the legitimate interests of consumers, both visitors and local residents alike.
The HKTB's Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme promotes good quality services at shops, restaurants and visitor accommodation facilities and is widely supported. By the end of 2014 some 1,270 local establishments with about 8,200 outlets had earned QTS accreditation.
303