From..............
CCSO
Ref.............. ..in......LO/POL/IPHK.
Tel. No.
Date
G.F. 73A
26th July, 1985
MEMO
о
T....................
DC
Your Ref................ . . ...
dated
Visa Requirements to France
As instructed, I have made enquiries with Cosmos, Globals Gateway and Thomas Cook, the more popular tour operators used by Hong Kong tourists.
2.
A Mr. Bagley, Customer Services Manager for Cosmos and Globals Gateway informed me that they had problems with Hong Kong tourists arriving in London without French visas. Those arriving during the week with time to spare usually managed to obtain the visa when approaching the French Consulate with a letter of explanation by the tour operators. Others had either to abandon their package tour with a French content and get transferred to one without or to go without a visa at their own risk. He estimated that there were about 20 cases of people abandoning their original plans in the 1984 season.
The Customers Relations Officer of Thomas Cook remembered two Hong Kong customers having difficulties in 1984 but none so far this season.
3.
4.
CSOi/c(E) had checked with the French Consulate in Edinburgh where it was confirmed that Hong Kong British Passport holders needed no visa. Knowing the confusion, CS01/c (E) would issue his enquirers with a letter confirming the advice obtained. This seemed to work so far.
5.
Having made these checks, it would seem that, although the situation has been confusing and people have been taking risks, the great majority of Hong Kong tourists managed to enter France without a visa or with one obtained in London. The only known case of passengers being rejected and sent back to London was Mrs. Chan and her young son two years ago.
VYFC/ks сс АСРА
PAO SA
SAO/HỌ PO
CSOi/c(M)
CSOi/c(E)
Wielichqu
(Victor Y.F. Chann)
Chief Community Services Officer
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