Hong Kong has worked out measures with the Mainland to resolve the ill treatment of some Mainland tourists, Commissioner for Tourism Au King-chi says.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme today, Ms Au noted, with the help of the China National Tourism Administration, the Mainland tourists will get an itinerary, including any shopping arrangements, and a14-day purchase refund pledge well before visiting Hong Kong.

She said both sides agreed to set up a mechanism by which Hong Kong will pass information involving errant tourist agencies and guides who treat Mainland customers badly to the tourism administration for possible sanctions.

Relevent provincial and city authorities will follow up the cases with the respective agencies organising the tours to Hong Kong, with a view to reconsidering the arrangement with the local agencies which commit wrongdoings.

Guides' professional expertise enhanced

The tourism administration also looked into the possibility of adding the itinerary and the Mainland organising agencies' registration numbers to the service contracts they enter into with their customers, making it easier to track Mainland tours in Hong Kong, Ms Au added.  

She said the commission was working with the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, and relevant tourist guide associations, to enhance the guides' professional expertise and integrity through more training.

Tourists arrival to the city from January to October this year saw 9% growth on  average, with the Mainlanders responsible for more than 10% of the increase.