In recent years, green tourism has become popular in the Mainland. Some Mainland organizations considered it a profitable opportunity and hence illegally arranged camping tours in Hong Kong without liaising with local travel agents. Last year, I requested the Tourism Commission and the Mainland tourism authorities to investigate on such phenomenon. During the May 1 "Golden Week" this year, illegal tours revived and came to Hong Kong for camping. I expressed my concerns at the LegCo and stressed on the need of strengthening law enforcement, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of licensed travel agents in Hong Kong. I recommended the government to increase the number of  amping sites accordingly and review the camp booking mechanism during peak seasons to ensure camping activities are carried out in an orderly manner.

 

On 23 May 2018, I summited my written questions on “Huge Amount of Mainland Tourists Staying Overnight at Local Camping Areas and Beaches”（Click for details）

 

 

21 July 2018, a Report by “Apple Daily” 

 

24 May 2018, a Report by “Ta Kung Pao”

 

Urge for Cracking Down on Unlicensed Travel Agents

To address the problem of unlicensed travel agents, I have repeatedly communicated with personnel of the Travel Agents Registry (TAR) and requested enforcement actions of law. Meanwhile, I requested the Government establishes a set of clear guidelines on prosecution principles for illegally-operating travel agents when establishing the TIA. The clear guidelines can help avoid pitfalls and prevent groups or companies from taking advantages of the loopholes when they organize outbound tours.

 

 

To further crack down on unlicensed travel agents and unlicensed tourist guides, hence protect the interests of the industry and consumers, I organized a joint meeting with the Hong Kong Police Force and tourism regulatory bodies such as the Tourism Commission, TAR, and TIC. All agreed to jointly fight against behaviors that harm the industry by reinforcing existing mechanism, foster closer communication and improve the efficiency of prosecution