Travel and Tourism I 297
The TICF also provides urgent financial assistance to outbound travellers injured or killed in accidents in the course of an activity arranged or organised by a Hong Kong travel agent. There were seven such accidents in 2007. Applications for financial assistance in relation to those accidents have not yet been submitted.
A training and accreditation system created by the TIC to ensure the service. quality of tourist guides took effect on November 1, 2002. Since July 1, 2004, travel agents were required to assign only tourist guides with a Tourist Guide Pass to receive visitors to Hong Kong.
Honest and Quality Tourism
The Government is committed to promoting 'honest and quality tourism' to protect visitors' consumer interests. It is working closely with the TIC, the HKTB and the Consumer Council to step up law enforcement, review consumer protection laws, strengthen industry regulation, promote quality tourism products and publicise smart consumption practices.
In June, the TIC introduced a new Refund Protection Scheme (Registered Shops) for Mainland tour groups visiting Hong Kong. Under the scheme, visitors can seek refund for items purchased from registered shops within six months of purchase. The TIC also requires travel agents to register the itineraries for inbound Mainland tour groups to facilitate more effective monitoring.
The HKTB also brought out in 2007 a programme called 'Quality & Honest Hong Kong Tour', which emphasised high quality itineraries without designated shopping, surcharges or self-paid activities. It was well received by Mainland visitors and has now been extended to nine Mainland cities.
In September, the Consumer Council set up a website designed specially for Mainland visitors to help them shop smartly in Hong Kong. The website provides information on popular consumption goods and the services on offer in Hong Kong.
The Government is also reviewing the Trade Descriptions Ordinance to better protect consumers from misleading product information and undesirable sales practices. A Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Bill will be put before the Legislative Council in early 2008.
Websites
Tourism Commission: www.tourism.gov.hk
Hong Kong Tourism Board: www.discoverhongkong.com
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