Representatives from the tourism and retail sectors have opposed the introduction of a goods and services tax (GST), saying it would be too much trouble to arrange refunds for tourists.
Joseph Tung Yao-chung, Travel Industry Council executive director, said it was not feasible for tourists, especially mainland visitors, 'to queue for tax rebates at the border or airport for two or three hours'.
Mr Tung said it would also be impractical to refund tourists at shops. 'Could you imagine hundreds of mainland visitors surrounding a shop waiting for tax rebates? It might cause chaos at shops,' he said.
The general manager of Hong Thai Travel Service, Susanna Lau Mei-sze, said if the government introduced a GST, tax refunds should be made in cash immediately.
Ms Lau said that in her experience while overseas, she had not received the exact amount of tax paid, and had heard of people never receiving a rebate despite filling in forms at shops.
She also said that it would be more convenient for tourists to receive refunds at shops rather than at the airport or border checkpoints.