The Development History of the Hong Kong Tourist Association

Over the years, the parliament has vigorously promoted industry self-discipline, and its achievements have gradually won wide recognition. 1988 when amending the above regulations, the parliament was entrusted by the Hong Kong government with the important task of protecting the rights and interests of outbound tourists. According to the Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance 1988, any company must become a member of the board of directors before it can apply for a travel agent license and legally operate overseas travel services.

The Travel Industry Council Reserve Fund of Hong Kong was formally established to protect the interests of outbound tourists. Travel agencies must pay 1% of the package tour fee charged and deposit it in the parliamentary reserve fund as the printing fee. When the travel agency closes down, the affected passengers can get 70% ex gratia compensation for the tour fare. The TIC works closely with the Travel Agents Registry to maintain a high professional standard in the industry.

1990, Parliament and Parliamentary Reserve Fund became public institutions designated by the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

199 1 year, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, together with five other members of the Travel Industry Federation of Hong Kong, won an additional seat for the then Legislative Council for the tourism functional constituency, so that the views of the industry could be reflected to the Legislative Council.

1992 In September, as the parliamentary reserve fund accumulated to HK$ 1 billion, the government supported the parliamentary proposal to reduce the printing fee from 1% of the tour fee to 0.5%, while the ex gratia compensation was increased to 80%.

The Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance 1993 came into effect in June, 5438+00, and the statutory fund "Travel Industry Compensation Fund" was established according to this Ordinance to replace the "Travel Industry Council Reserve Fund".

At the initiative and promotion of the Parliament, the "Emergency Assistance Fund Plan for Tour Group Accidents" was implemented in February, 1996, funded by the Compensation Fund. According to this plan, all passengers and their families who have accidents and caused casualties during overseas travel can receive financial assistance with a maximum amount of HK$ 65,438+RMB 8,000. Through the emergency assistance fund program, outbound tourists are better protected.

As the compensation fund further accumulated to HK$ 200 million, the government adopted the recommendation of the Parliament and raised the ex-gratia compensation to 90% in February. 1996. 1May 1997, the printing cost was reduced from 0.5% to 0.3%.

The Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance 2002 came into effect in June 2002. The Ordinance stipulates that all inbound travel agencies providing travel services to foreign and mainland tourists must obtain a licence, and one of the licensing conditions is that they must first become members of parliament. In other words, inbound travel agencies, like outbound travel agencies, are also included in the supervision scope of the Travel Industry Council, which once again proves that the principle of self-discipline in the tourism industry is generally supported by the government and the public.

In July 2009, in view of the fact that the balance of the compensation fund has exceeded HK$ 500 million, the government accepted the proposal of the Parliament to reduce the printing cost from 0.3% to 0. 15%.