Hong Kong tourism regulator cracks down on forced shopping, launches specialist guide licences
Hong Kong's tourism regulator has revoked three travel agency licences and four tour guide licences this year for forced shopping. The watchdog has also launched a specialist guide licence scheme to meet demand for in-depth tours and established direct communication with mainland Chinese authorities
Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism told the Legislative Council on 3 November that the Tourism Industry Regulatory Authority (TIRA) has stepped up enforcement against forced shopping and launched new initiatives to professionalise the sector.
Speaking at a meeting of the LegCo Panel on Economic Development, the secretary recalled that more than a decade ago the industry was plagued by “zero- and negative-price tours” and forced shopping, which damaged Hong Kong's reputation as a tourist destination. The government decided to overhaul the regulatory system, establishing TIRA as an independent statutory body with enforcement powers to replace industry self-regulation.
The Tourism Industry Ordinance took effect in 2022, ushering in a new regulatory era. TIRA operates with a dual mandate of “regulation and development”, according to the secretary. On the enforcement side, TIRA this year revoked licences of three travel agents and four tour guides involved in forced shopping, and suspended the registration of related shops for 30 days. The regulator has also set up a direct communication channel with mainland Chinese authorities to proactively report suspected violations so that illegal low-cost tour operations can be tackled at the source.
To support industry development and talent cultivation, TIRA launched a “specialist licence” scheme earlier this year. The scheme issues tour guide licences for specific professional fields, aiming to attract people with relevant expertise into the industry and encourage the cultivation of guides with specialised knowledge. TIRA is also working to improve continuing professional development and qualification framework articulation, offering internship allowances to attract young people into the sector.
The secretary concluded by inviting TIRA's chief executive to present further details to the committee, and said officials were ready to answer members' questions.