Confidence boost: Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour  Eva Cheng, Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip and Commissioner for Tourism Au King-chi unveil measures to protect tourists' rights.

The Mainland and Hong Kong will discuss measures to further regulate travel agencies to better protect consumers, Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip says.

Mr Ip told reporters today the China National Tourism Administration will hold a meeting with the Tourism Commission, Tourism Board and Travel Industry Council next week to work out the measures to tackle a number of issues, including the problem of low service fees. The move will encourage travel agencies offer services at reasonable prices, he added.

Tougher enforcement

On claims that Mainland visitors have been cheated while shopping in Hong Kong, Mr Ip pointed out enforcement against unscrupulous sales practices has been beefed up to ensure tourist confidence in Hong Kong's shops.

Apart from stepping up inspections and reminding shop operators to follow good sales practices, Customs officers are visiting two Mainland provinces to take statements from tourists claiming they were cheated while shopping in Hong Kong.

The Travel Industry Council has decided to extend its "14-day, 100% Refund Guarantee Scheme" to six months and make its demerit system tougher. The Tourism Board will strengthen its publicity of the Quality Tourism Scheme and Honest & Quality Hong Kong Tour.

Information exchange

To enhance information dissemination, the Tourism Board, Consumer Council and Travel Industry Council will jointly develop a website where tourists can find shopping tips easily. Details of complaints against shops and the Refund Guarantee Scheme demerit system will also be posted online.

Mr Ip stressed the Government is determined to crack down on shady sales practices, adding enforcement and publicity will continue to bolster tourists' confidence in Hong Kong shops.

Noting effective legislation is the key to best protect consumers, Mr Ip said a working group has been set up to review all relevant laws and see whether a new law on business practice is necessary. He expected law revisions to be ready within the next legislative year.