ENG-2011 — Page 369

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travel agent default. Two such cases occurred in 2011, and ex gratia payments amounting to $276,000 were paid to 566 affected travellers.

The TICF also provides emergency financial assistance to outbound travellers injured, or killed, in accidents in the course of an activity arranged by a travel agent.

Travel agents have to assign accredited tourist guides to receive inbound visitors. Hong Kong had 6 278 accredited tourist guides at the end of 2011.

Review of the Operation and Regulatory Framework of the Tourism Sector

To ensure the sustainable and healthy development of the tourism sector, the Government launched a 10-week (April 29 to July 15, 2011) public consultation on a review of the tourism sector's operation and regulatory framework. In particular, the Government sought the views of both the general public and the trade on the options for reforming the tourism sector's regulatory framework, the licensing system for travel agents and the regulations governing tourist guides. A total of 1 249 written submissions were received.

After considering the views collected, the Government announced in December 2011 the setting up of an independent statutory body as the overall regulatory body. The Government will continue to listen to the views of the public and the trade in ironing out the details of the arrangements made under the new regulatory regime.

Tourism Co-operation

Mainland

The Tourism Commission maintains close liaison with the Mainland tourism authorities, and meetings were held regularly to discuss matters of mutual interest, such as regulation of the trade, joint promotions and healthy development of the tourism industry.

Macao

In May, Hong Kong and Macao held their third annual meeting to discuss. tourism matters such as joint efforts in developing and promoting 'multi-destination' itineraries.

CEPA

In December, a further tourism liberalisation measure was introduced under Supplement VIII to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). It optimises the current '144-hour facilitation visa' policy in Guangdong by relaxing the requirement for foreign visitor group tours to pre- register the outbound control points when they travel to Guangdong through Hong Kong. The relevant Mainland authorities will review the requirement regarding tour size at an appropriate juncture.