Struggling Hong Kong tour agents get government cash incentive
Hong Kong’s struggling tourism operators are being offered a HK$100 million lifeline to help boost visitor numbers.
The cash incentive is being offered to thousands of travel agents, tour guides and tour escorts to entice them to bring in tourism business.
From November to the end of March 2020 travel agents would be offered cash payment of HK$120 per inbound tourist staying overnight or HK$100 for every outbound client up to a maximum of 500 tourists per agent.
That means each agent could earn a maximum of HK$60,000 extra, said secretary for commerce and economic development Edward Yau Tang-wah.
"Our reputation as a safe city is at stake because of all the things happening in Hong Kong. So far, 40 countries have given travel advice to citizens visiting Hong Kong, with a few of them issuing alerts," Yau said.
"Fundamentally, we need to restore order and make sure Hong Kong remains a safe city."
Yau said the scheme could help boost tourist numbers by about 850,000.
According to the HK Tourism Board, the average overnight tourist spends about HK$6,600.
"It will help tourism related industries such as hotels, airlines, restaurants and logistics," said Tourism Board chairman Pang Yiu-kai.
Wong Ka-ngai, chairman of Hong Kong Tour Guides General Union said the incentive scheme would have little impact on increasing inbound tourist numbers as there is very little demand due to the protests.
"If no one comes to Hong Kong, then the subsidies are nothing.Maybe it could somehow help tour agencies if they have customers, but the problem is there are no customers."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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