TIA, a statutory body responsible for regulating and issuing licenses to travel agents, tour escorts and tourist guides who receive outbound and inbound visitors respectively, and promoting the healthy development of the tourism industry.
Tourism Commission, established in May 1999, is responsible for formulating policies and strategies, co-ordinating liaison with the trade, as well as leading and co-ordinating the implementation of policies and initiatives by Government bureaux and departments to promote the development of the tourism industry.
Hong Kong’s tourism industry started to develop as early as the 1950s and is one of the economic pillars of Hong Kong. Apart from the tourism and hotel industries, transportation, catering and retail industries also provide direct services to visitors, and the prosperous development of the tourism industry has also added value to these industries, while convention and exhibition, cultural and creative industries, and other related industries along the industrial chain of the overall tourism economy also play a mutually reinforcing role with the tourism industry, thus bringing both direct and indirect benefits to Hong Kong’s economy. The development of tourism industry requires active participation, aspiration and determination of all parties, including Government bureaux and departments, trade organisations and relevant stakeholders, in order to form a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem of the tourism economy, thereby injecting an unceasing impetus into Hong Kong’s economy.
Throughout the decades, Hong Kong’s tourism industry has made remarkable achievements that have captured the world’s attention. At the same time, we have gradually developed into the business-oriented economy, which has laid a solid foundation for future development. Below are some of the key milestones in the institutional development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry:
The Hong Kong Tourist Association was established under the Hong Kong Tourist Association Ordinance with the objective of promoting Hong Kong to overseas and attracting visitors to visit Hong Kong, so as to promote the development of the tourism industry.
The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (“TIC”) was established to protect the interests of travel agents and to be responsible for the self-regulation of the industry.
The Hong Kong Tourist Association was renamed as the Hong Kong Tourism Board (“HKTB”) with operation funded by the Government.
The Government conducted a public consultation on the “Review of the Operation and Regulatory Framework of Hong Kong’s Tourism Sector” and announced in the same year the proposal to set up an independent statutory body, the Travel Industry Authority (“TIA”), to take over the role of TIC as the industry’s self-regulatory body, and to be responsible for the overall regulation of the travel industry.
The Government established TIA in accordance with the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634), which was passed in 2018, to implement the new regulatory regime of the travel industry and promote the sustainable development of the industry.
The Government established the Tourism Strategy Committee, chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, to replace the Tourism Strategy Group. It is tasked to provide the Government with strategic advice and foster collaboration among different stakeholders in the tourism and related sectors, with a view to further promoting the long-term and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry.
Apart from the Tourism Commission organisations promoting the development of tourism industry in Hong Kong include -
TIA, a statutory body responsible for regulating and issuing licenses to travel agents, tour escorts and tourist guides who receive outbound and inbound visitors respectively, and promoting the healthy development of the tourism industry.
HKTB, a statutory body responsible for promoting and marketing Hong Kong as a tourist destination worldwide, and actively enhancing the experience of inbound visitors in Hong Kong. HKTB also plans and organises a wide range of tourism promotions to raise Hong Kong’s profile and attractiveness as an international tourist destination.
TIC is responsible for promoting the development and professionalism of the tourism industry and continuously enhancing the service standards of the industry, strengthening partnerships with travel-related organisations within and outside Hong Kong, as well as assisting the trade to explore new business opportunities.
