Session No. 5 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2010-11
Question : Does the Government intend to merge the two agencies, namely the Tourism Commission and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, into a Government department in the coming financial year (i.e 2010-11)? Asked by : Hon. TSE Wai-chun, Paul Reply : The Government does not intend to merge the Tourism Commission (TC) and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC). The TC was established in 1999 under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and is tasked with formulating tourism policy, handling and co-ordinating policy matters on tourism with government departments and other organisations, enhancing Hong Kong’s tourism facilities, and supporting the development of new attractions, etc. The TC is also responsible for monitoring the operations of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the TIC. The TIC has a membership that covers all local licensed travel agents. As an integral part of the regulatory mechanism for travel agents in Hong Kong, the TIC’s scope of work includes drawing up codes of good practice for the travel sector as well as handling complaints and non-compliance cases. At present, under the provisions of the Travel Agents Ordinance (Cap. 218), any person who carries on business as a travel agent in Hong Kong must be a member of the TIC before applying for a travel agent’s licence from the Travel Agents Registry. The TC and TIC have different roles and responsibilities in facilitating the development of tourism and regulating the travel trade. We do not think it necessary or appropriate to merge the two.
Question : Has the Government conducted any studies to find out whether merging the Tourism Commission and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong will be conducive to the implementation of tourism policy, the rationalisation of administration, the streamlining of establishment and cost-saving? If yes, what are the results? If no, will the Government undertake to earmark expenditure in the coming financial year for conducting such a study immediately? Asked by : Hon. TSE Wai-chun, Paul Reply : The Government does not intend to merge the Tourism Commission (TC) and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC). The TC was established in 1999 under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and is tasked with formulating tourism policy, handling and co-ordinating policy matters on tourism with government departments and other organisations, enhancing Hong Kong’s tourism facilities, and supporting the development of new attractions, etc. The TC is also responsible for monitoring the operations of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the TIC. The TIC has a membership that covers all local licensed travel agents. As an integral part of the regulatory mechanism for travel agents in Hong Kong, the TIC’s scope of work includes drawing up codes of good practice for the travel sector as well as handling complaints and non-compliance cases. At present, under the provisions of the Travel Agents Ordinance (Cap. 218), any person who carries on business as a travel agent in Hong Kong must be a member of the TIC before applying for a travel agent’s licence from the Travel Agents Registry. The TC and TIC have different roles and responsibilities in facilitating the development of tourism and regulating the travel trade. We do not think it necessary or appropriate to merge the two.
Directory: citb -> doc doc -> Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc Download 4.7 Mb. Share with your friends:
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