Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma has welcomed the Travel Industry Council's recruitment of more independent members to its board of directors and committees handling non-compliance of member travel agents.

He said the reform measures are in the right direction and demonstrate the council's positive response to public concern and commitment to continuous improvement.

Mr Ma said with more independent members joining the council's daily operation, its work transparency will be enhanced and public confidence boosted. It will enable the council to better discharge its functions of trade self-regulation and raise the industry's overall standard.

The Tourism Commission will follow up to ensure the council's early implementation of the measures.