Govt announces another subsidy for travel agents

The government says it hopes this 'small token' will encourage more travel agents to organise eco-tours for the enjoyment of the Hong Kong people. Photo: RTHK

Hong Kong's travel agencies are to get up to HK$50,000 each from the government for organising eco-tours, under the administration’s latest plan to support the industry amid falling visitors numbers due to the anti-government protests.



Latest figures for November saw tourist arrivals plunging 56 percent year-on-year to 2.6 million.



The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Edward Yau, announced on Monday that firms can get HK$100 for each Hongkonger they sign up for an eco-tour to places like country parks or the geopark. The total subsidy will be capped at HK$50,000 per company.



“We hope that it would provide timely assistance to the hard-hit tourism trade, where this small token would encourage more travel agents or tourist guides to spend time organising such activities for the enjoyment for our local community,” Yau said.



Travel agencies claiming the funds are required to provide transport, tour guides, and food for their customers.



Hong Kong’s country parks are known for their easy accessibility. According to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, 11.2 million visits were made to country parks for various kinds of outdoor activities in 2014.



The chairman of the Travel Industry Council, Jason Wong, said people normally need to pay up to several hundred dollars to join eco-tours, and the government subsidy should enable agencies to charge lower fees.



Wong said the scheme encourages agencies to organise local green tours and helps them to approach organisations or schools that might be interested in organising such trips for their members or students.



The scheme will run for six months from January.



In October, the government announced a HK$100 million plan to give travel agencies HK$120 for each overnight visitor they attract to the city, and HK$100 for each customer who books a holiday outside the SAR with them.



Firms can get up to HK$60,000 from this scheme, which runs until the end of March.