• Follow-up on the low prosecution rate for unlicensed travel agents

       In recent years, I have received complaints about a number of suspected unlicensed travel agents, and immediately referred them to the Travel Agents Registry (TAR). However, after long investigation, most of the replies stated that there was insufficient evidence for prosecution.

       On 20 July, 2017, I met with Mr. Brendan Au Ho-wah, Registrar of Travel Agents, Mr. Jonathan Man, Deputy Registrar of Travel Agents, and Mr. Patrick Leung, Deputy Registrar of Travel Agents, and shared our views on the relevant matters.

      During the meeting, Mr. Au and his colleagues explained in details the difficulties in complaining, referring, investigating, prosecuting, and presenting evidence regarding suspected illegal travel agents under the existing laws. I urged the TAR recipients to try to help the police interpret the legislation, strengthen law enforcement, and safeguard the rights and interests of licensed travel agents. I also proposed to improve the relevant provisions of the “Travel Industry Bill” which is under scrutiny. By doing so, the future TIA will possess higher relevance and deterrent effects during investigation, law enforcement, and prosecution process of unlicensed travel agents.

 

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• Crackdowns on cross-border tours illegally organizing outbound itinerary

        During the May Day holidays in 2017, some Mainland websites arranged tours for Mainland residents to come to Hong Kong for green tourism to camp at campsites and beaches. In order to gain attention from Mainland authorities on the relevant issues and eliminate improper solicitation behaviors from the root, I wrote letters to Asia Tourism Exchange Center (the representative office of China National Tourism Administration in Hong Kong), and Guangdong Travel Services Association. Meanwhile, I also sent letters to the Tourism Commission and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to urge stringent law enforcement against unlicensed travel agents and illegal camping. And there was a positive response from different parties.

       

 

Reply from Asia Tourism Exchange Center on 23 June, 2017