Government to reform the tourism industry, recommended the establishment of tourism Authority, responsible for the overall regulation of the tourism industry, in addition to regulation of travel agents, is also responsible for operating a Code of Conduct and disciplinary action, and regulation of tour guides and tour leaders to replace the existing performed by the Travel Industry Council certification system. To reduce the impact on the industry, it is proposed to make the transition period to allow holders of certificates or tour leader TIC cards guide or leader, before the expiry of the certificate may continue accreditation.
http://yangtzecruise2011.blogspot.com/2011/12/hong-kong-intends-to-set-up-independent.html
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So, said yesterday that, to allay the industry "insiders control their own people," concerns, all members of the new Board of Governors appointed by the Government, President of the Council increased from lay persons as the Commissioner for Tourism as the Vice President, tour guides and tour representatives will be appointed to the Council, to reflect the views of practitioners. He added that the approach allows new institutions remain independent, can also take full advantage of industry knowledge to help make effective regulation of the tourism industry. The Administration also recommends that an independent appeals mechanism to deal with for the trip supervisor Board's decision and appeal.
License application for travel agents in Hong Kong, its capital be less than $ 500,000. Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Philip Yung, said the proposed increase in minimum capital requirements, improve the line threshold, thereby enhancing quality. He said the revised minimum capital requirements, the Government will draw on local arrangements, the industry will also discuss with the appropriate level, and increase capital requirements in phases to minimize the impact on the industry.
Yung said that to avoid the establishment of new institutions and the industry in a substantial increase in short-term operating costs, or unreasonably burden and suggested that the Government provide a one-off grant as seed money to cover the establishment costs, as part of the operating expenses and contingency reserves. He expected annual expenditure of about $ 50 million to $ 55 million, it is recommended to adopt self-financing, its financial resources will come from the travel agent's license fees, levies leaving group, and the mainland immigration group registration fee.
Yung said the establishment of new institutions is no intention to increase immediately after the current license fee or travel agent fees, printing costs, but in recent years, TIC has spent 32% of revenue for the regulation of Mainland inbound tour groups, but the related revenue is very low, that the registration fee with the mainland immigration group to increase the space. He added that there are only mainland immigrant groups will be required to pay the registration fee, registration fee of HK $ 20, but now more than 1,600 travel agents were only about 110 (about 7%), business receiving Mainland group, it is expected revision will not cause extensive impact on the industry.
In the new proposal, will be responsible for the dissolution of the existing licensed Travel Agents Registry, and TIC will lose the power to regulate. Yung said the study commissioned by the Travel Industry Council will assist the new regulatory body to deal with non-feasibility of the work, such as related advocacy, coordination of entry or exit the industry dealing with unexpected events such as tours, as proved feasible, it will Travel Industry Council to consider providing financial support to perform these functions.
Mr So said the government will draft new legislation to replace the existing "Travel Agents Ordinance," will be about two and a half to the Legislative Council after the new Bill, the Government will continue to develop during the new regulatory regime and structure of the detailed arrangements to listen, Parliament will also discuss his future with the brigade's public functions, the new body material at the earliest three years after the operation.
http://yangtzecruise2011.blogspot.com/
Dec 20, 2011
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