294 Travel and Tourism
HKTB continues to hold and support mega events in Hong Kong to enrich the visitor experience. The events include the highly popular Chinese New Year Parade which features local and overseas floats and performers.
The HKTB also launched an online guide called the 'Ding Ding Hong Kong Tram Guide' in November which provides easy-to-follow information about Hong Kong culture, heritage, restaurants, shops and its numerous entertainment spots, many of which can be seen while riding across Hong Kong Island in an iconic tram.
Service Quality
Quality Tourism Services
The HKTB's Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme for promoting quality service in shops, restaurants and tourist lodgings, is widely supported by the industry and has encouraged many in the industry to improve their services. At the end of 2008, more than 1 300 retail, catering, and tourist lodgings, with over 6 600 outlets, had earned QTS accreditation.
The HKTB waived the renewal fee for QTS accredited merchants in November to help its trade partners during the economic downturn.
Honest and Quality Tourism
The Government works closely with the tourism industry and related organisations to promote honest tourism. Under a 'Refund Protection Scheme. (Registered Shops)', Mainland visitors travelling in tour groups organised by registered tour companies may return goods bought from registered shops and seek refund within six months of purchase, provided the goods are in good condition.
Hong Kong's Consumer Council continues to work with its Mainland counterpart, the China Consumers' Association, to inform Mainlanders of their consumer rights and to provide them with tips on smart shopping.
The HKTB also introduced in 2006 the 'Quality and Honest Hong Kong Tour' product in the Mainland. This product is guaranteed free from compulsory self-paid activities, guided shopping and imposition of surcharge. At year's end, it was offered at 32 counters in 16 Mainland cities plus an online travel portal.
Hospitality Initiatives
Good hospitality is essential to sustaining tourism. The Government runs a 'Hospitable Hong Kong' campaign to develop a strong hospitality culture in Hong Kong. A programme, called 'Hong Kong Young Ambassador Scheme', is in place for training young people to be polite and helpful to visitors. More than 1 500 young people have joined it so far and rendered over 113 000 hours of ambassadorial service.
As part of the campaign, the Tourism Commission joined forces with travel agencies, hotels, and retailers in carrying out a series of activities to improve service quality and customer care.
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