Comprehensive information of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong

The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong was established in 1978 with the purpose of protecting the interests of travel agencies. In 1985, after continuous lobbying by the Parliament, *** formulated the "Travel Agents Ordinance", which stipulated that all travel agencies operating outbound travel business must obtain a license. The Council has worked hard to promote industry self-regulation over the years, and its achievements have gradually won widespread recognition. When the above-mentioned regulations were revised in 1988, the Council was entrusted with the important task of protecting the rights and interests of outbound tourists. According to the provisions of the Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance 1988, any company must first become a member of the Council before it can apply for a travel agent license and legally operate outbound travel services. Basic introduction Chinese name: The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Foreign name: The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Chinese (Traditional): The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong English abbreviation: TIC Date of establishment: 1978 Purpose: To protect the interests of travel agencies Identity: a public company in Hong Kong* **Organizational chronicle, composition, work objectives, service scope, member services, public services, chronicle In 1978, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") was established with the purpose of protecting the interests of travel agencies. In 1985, after continuous lobbying by the Parliament, *** formulated the "Travel Agents Ordinance", which stipulated that all travel agencies operating outbound travel business must obtain a license. The Council has worked hard to promote industry self-regulation over the years, and its achievements have gradually won widespread recognition. In 1988, when the Travel Agents Ordinance was revised, the Council was entrusted with the important task of protecting the rights and interests of outbound tourists. According to the provisions of the Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance 1988, any company must first become a member of the Council before it can apply for a travel agent license and legally operate outbound travel services. The "Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Reserve Fund" aimed at protecting the interests of outbound tourists was subsequently formally established. Travel agencies must pay 1% of the outbound travel fees collected in the form of a stamp levy and deposited into the parliamentary reserve fund. When a travel agency goes bankrupt, affected passengers can receive preferential compensation of 70% of the tour fee. The Council works closely with the Travel Agents Registry to maintain high professional standards in the industry. In 1990, the Parliament and the Parliamentary Reserve Fund became a designated public institution under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. In 1991, the Council, together with five other organizational members within the Hong Kong Travel Industry Federation, secured the addition of a seat for the tourism industry functional constituency in the then Legislative Council, so that the industry's opinions could be reflected to the legislature. In September 1992, as the council's reserve fund had accumulated to HK$100 million, *** supported the council's proposal to reduce the stamp levy from 1% to 0.5% of the outbound travel fee, and increase the ex-gratia compensation to 80%. In October 1992, the Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance 1993 came into effect, and the statutory fund "Travel Industry Compensation Fund" was established in accordance with the Ordinance to replace the "Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Reserve Fund". In February 1996, with the initiative and promotion of the Parliament, the "Tour Group Accident Emergency Assistance Fund Scheme" was implemented and funded by the Compensation Fund. According to this plan, tourists and their families who are involved in an accident that results in casualties or casualties while participating in an outbound tour group can receive financial assistance, with a maximum limit of HK$300,000. Through the emergency assistance fund plan, outbound tourists are better protected. As the compensation fund had further accumulated to HK$200 million, *** adopted the Council's recommendation. In December 1996, *** increased the amount of ex-gratia compensation to 90%. In May 1997, the stamp levy was reduced from 0.5% to 0.3%. In November 2002, the Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance 2002 officially came into effect. The regulations stipulate that all inbound travel agencies that provide travel services to tourists from other places and mainland China must obtain a license, and one of the conditions for licensing is that they must first become a member of the Council. In other words, inbound travel agencies, like outbound travel agencies, are included in the regulatory scope of the Council. This once again proves that the Council's principle of industry self-discipline is widely supported by *** and the public. In July 2009, given that the balance of the compensation fund has exceeded HK$5 billion, *** accepted the council’s suggestion and reduced the stamp levy from 0.3% to 0.15%. Composition The composition of the Council includes eight affiliated associations, approximately 1,700 member travel agencies, a board of directors, an appeals committee, more than a dozen committees and council offices.

The Council will consult relevant committees before implementing policies, and then the Council will make a decision, which will then be handed over to the Council offices for implementation. Work Objectives According to the Travel Agents (Amendment) Ordinance, the Council shoulders the important task of supervising outbound and inbound travel agencies. The objectives of the Council are to: Maintain high professional standards in the tourism industry

Protect the interests of both tourism operators and inbound and outbound tourists

Service scope Member services organize various activities to promote friendly relations within the industry and understanding

Organize training courses, lectures and workshops to improve the quality of practitioners

Publish regular publications, update the Council’s website, and provide various information to members

< p> Develop and implement various codes of conduct to maintain high-level services and fair competition in the industry

Mediate disputes between members and related industries and the public

Promote disputes between members and outside the industry Communicate with relevant organizations and provide consultation channels

Collect stamp levies on behalf of the "Travel Industry Compensation Fund Management Committee" and repair and maintain printing machines

Assist members in recruiting staff through the Council's website< /p>

Public services enhance consumers’ awareness of travel safety and security

Handle tourists’ inquiries and complaints

Assist people in need to apply for the "Travel Industry Compensation Fund" Ex-gratia compensation and financial assistance from the "Tour Group Accident Emergency Assistance Fund Plan"