Hong Kong tourism regulator cracks down on forced shopping, illegal tour guides
Hong Kong's Tourism Industry Regulatory Authority has conducted over 10,000 shop inspections, revoked three travel agent licences and four tour guide licences for forced shopping since 2022. It has also coordinated with mainland authorities to remove 15 low-price tour adverts and plans to expand spe
The Hong Kong Tourism Industry Regulatory Authority (TIRA) has taken strong enforcement action against forced shopping and other misconduct since it began full operations in September 2022, the government told the Legislative Council on 7 October.
According to a written reply to lawmaker Jasmine Jiang, TIRA has conducted more than 10,000 inspections of registered shops receiving tour groups, averaging about 3,300 per year. It has acted on eight cases of suspected forced shopping, revoking the licences of three travel agents and four tour guides. Cases have been referred to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution. One shop registered under the Registered Shop Administrative Scheme had its registration suspended for 30 days for failing to stop a guide from pressuring tourists to buy goods; its management and frontline staff were required to undergo additional training.
To tackle the problem at its source, TIRA has worked with mainland Chinese authorities through the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area joint regulatory mechanism. Since the start of 2026, it has reported more than 15 online adverts for suspiciously low-price tours, which were subsequently removed. TIRA has also forwarded 31 suspected cross-border violation cases to mainland authorities for follow-up.
Beyond forced shopping, TIRA has handled 145 cases of other alleged breaches, including 83 involving unlicensed tour guides and 62 cases of other regulatory violations such as failure to provide receipts with statutory levy stamps, unauthorised itinerary changes, or omitting required information from itineraries for mainland inbound tours.
TIRA has established regular communication and joint enforcement mechanisms with the Hong Kong Police, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and other agencies. In recent months, joint operations with immigration officers have targeted illegal tour guiding at popular spots including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung, Tsim Sha Tsui, the West Kowloon Cultural District and Central. Joint patrols with customs have been stepped up ahead of mainland Golden Week holidays.
To promote industry development, TIRA launched a Specialty Licence Scheme in 2026, initially offering geopark and reception-service tour guide licences. It plans to introduce further specialty licences covering historical and cultural deep tours by end-2027. In March 2026, TIRA held its inaugural Tour Guide and Tour Leader Commendation Scheme, honouring six outstanding guides and six tour leaders. A second edition is planned for 2027.
TIRA has also recognised training courses at the Vocational Training Council and, in September 2026, signed a memorandum with the Education University of Hong Kong to allow graduates to directly sit for the professional tour guide and tour leader examinations.