ENG-2015 — Page 367

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Travel and Tourism

Easier Entry for Visitors

Hong Kong is one of the world's most immigration-friendly cities. Travellers from some 170 countries and territories enjoy visa-free access for stays of between seven and 180 days.

The Mainland's Individual Visit Scheme permits residents of 49 designated Mainland cities to visit Hong Kong on their own instead of in tour groups. About 28 million Mainlanders visited Hong Kong under the scheme in 2015, representing about 61 per cent of all Mainland arrivals. Upon the Hong Kong government's request, the central government on 13 April announced replacing the multiple-entry Individual Visit Endorsements for permanent residents of Shenzhen with 'one trip per week' Individual Visit Endorsements with immediate effect. In 2015, about 12.58 million Shenzhen residents visited Hong Kong using their one-year multiple-entry permits or the new 'one trip per week' permits.

Protection of Travellers

Travel agents must obtain a government licence and be Travel Industry Council members to carry out travel business. The council investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action. against travel agents who do not observe its rules. There were 1,746 licensed travel agents at the end of 2015.

The Travel Industry Compensation Fund provides ex gratia payments of up to 90 per cent of the loss of tour fares to outbound travellers in the event of a travel agent default. An ex gratia payment of $2,700 was paid to one traveller affected by a default case in 2013. The fund also provides emergency financial help to outbound travellers injured or killed in accidents in the course of an activity arranged by a travel agent. Ex gratia payments totalling close to $160,000 were made in 2015 for three accidents that happened in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Travellers must submit their applications within 24 months from the date of loss arising from a travel agent default or an outbound accident, and the review starts once all necessary documents are produced.

Travel agents must assign accredited tourist guides to receive inbound visitors. Hong Kong had 6,938 accredited tourist guides at the end of 2015.

New Regulatory Framework

Following a review of the regulatory framework in 2011, the government decided to set up an independent statutory body, the Travel Industry Authority, to regulate travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts. The government is pressing ahead with the drafting of new legislation for the early establishment of the new body and implementation of the new framework.

Tourism Co-operation

Mainland

The government maintains close liaison with Mainland tourism authorities and holds meetings whenever necessary to discuss matters of mutual interest, such as the regulation of the trade, joint promotions and development of the industry.

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