https://www.scmp.com/rss/522065/feed The latest news and top stories on the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong. A prominent Hong Kong-based professional association, the Travel Industry Council (TIC) was established in 1978. Its primary mission is to regulate outbound and inbound travel agents, uphold industry professionalism, and safeguard the interests of both the trade and travellers. The TIC’s main activities include promoting industry development, enhancing service standards, providing training, and handling public... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Wynna Wong Wynna Wong More Hongkongers are expected to travel elsewhere during the five-day Easter weekend from Friday despite a sharp jump in fuel surcharges, according to industry leaders. They also expect more visitors from mainland China during an overlapping Ching Ming Festival holiday, but doubt the influx will deliver any significant boost to the city’s tourism revenue. Some noted that the Easter break might have encouraged travel to the Middle East, but many tour groups have been cancelled until October due... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348849/more-hongkongers-travel-over-long-easter-break-despite-higher-costs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348849/more-hongkongers-travel-over-long-easter-break-despite-higher-costs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying The Hong Kong government has raised the outbound travel alert for Iran and Israel to black, and expanded the amber alert to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The government on Monday announced the escalation “in view of the continued deterioration of the situation in the Middle East region.” “The black [outbound travel alert] signifies severe threat,” a government spokesman said. “Due to the highly unpredictable security situation in Iran and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347631/hong-kong-raises-iran-israel-travel-alerts-black-expands-amber-warning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347631/hong-kong-raises-iran-israel-travel-alerts-black-expands-amber-warning?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:49:41 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Demand for some regional holiday destinations among Hong Kong travellers has jumped by as much as 30 per cent ahead of Easter, as locals seek to avoid long-haul trips amid rising airfares and disrupted routes caused by the ongoing war in Iran, according to industry players. Travel agencies said the number of inquiries for trips to Japan, South Korea, mainland China and Australia had risen by between 10 and 30 per cent since the war escalated, while demand for destinations linked to the Middle... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346683/30-jump-demand-regional-holidays-among-hongkongers-amid-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346683/30-jump-demand-regional-holidays-among-hongkongers-amid-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:30:16 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu The escalating conflict in the Middle East is set to drive up travel costs for Hong Kong passengers as many are forced to opt for more expensive direct routes to Europe, according to analysts. They said on Monday that the suspension of major transit hubs in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Doha in Qatar had left travellers scrambling for seats on direct flights or “conflict-free” paths to Europe, with surging demand set to trigger a spike in airfares. A check of Hong Kong flag carrier... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345146/middle-east-conflict-drive-airfares-hong-kong-travellers-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345146/middle-east-conflict-drive-airfares-hong-kong-travellers-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:00:15 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and mainland China are emerging as popular Lunar New Year destinations for Hongkongers this year, as residents take advantage of a calendar arrangement allowing them to enjoy nine consecutive days off by taking just two days of leave. Travel industry representatives said the long break had “significantly stimulated” demand, with departures likely to reach a peak on February 14, just before the start of the holiday. Moon Yau Moon-yee, assistant general manager at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343377/vietnam-mainland-china-among-top-lunar-new-year-destinations-hongkongers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343377/vietnam-mainland-china-among-top-lunar-new-year-destinations-hongkongers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong’s tourism sector is bracing for a 6 per cent rise in mainland Chinese visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday, as travel to the city regains momentum. Tickets for high-speed trains from major mainland cities to Hong Kong have been selling fast in the days leading up to the festive period – an upbeat sign for some hoteliers expecting a full house during the holiday. The Travel Industry Council, a federation of local travel trade associations, estimated that up to 1.4 million mainland... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342144/hong-kong-set-lunar-new-year-tourism-bump-6-rise-mainland-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342144/hong-kong-set-lunar-new-year-tourism-bump-6-rise-mainland-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying A Hong Kong travel agency has withdrawn from its role in a trip to Taiwan that centred on a private screening of a movie banned in the city on national security grounds. Jetport Travel on Saturday also distanced itself from promotion of the tour, which was organised by e-commerce platform As One and advertised as a HK$7,199 (US$923) four-trip to the self-ruled island departing late February that included private screenings of Hong Kong director Kiwi Chow Kwun-wai’s films Deadline and A Foggy... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3341125/hong-kong-travel-agency-backs-out-taiwan-trip-over-controversial-film-screening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3341125/hong-kong-travel-agency-backs-out-taiwan-trip-over-controversial-film-screening?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:59:54 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong travel agencies are expected to add more train tour packages to mainland China, as 16 new high-speed rail destinations have been added from the city, with the enhanced connectivity set to boost cross-border traveller numbers in both directions, industry leaders have said. Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said that local travel agencies were pivoting to capitalise on this “game-changing” high-speed rail network as a formidable competitor... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3339683/more-cross-border-tours-visitors-expected-expanded-hong-kong-high-speed-rail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3339683/more-cross-border-tours-visitors-expected-expanded-hong-kong-high-speed-rail?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 04:12:19 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung More than 650 Hongkongers on group tours to Taiwan have been confirmed safe following a 6.7-magnitude earthquake late on Saturday, with some shaken travellers recalling how buildings swayed “from side to side”. The Hong Kong Observatory said the earthquake struck at 11.05pm in Taiwan, with the epicentre located about 70km (43.5 miles) southeast of Taipei and at a focal depth of 60km. The forecaster also received more than 100 local reports of tremors lasting several seconds on Saturday. “Based... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337939/650-hongkongers-taiwan-tour-groups-confirmed-safe-after-67-magnitude-quake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337939/650-hongkongers-taiwan-tour-groups-confirmed-safe-after-67-magnitude-quake?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Dec 2025 09:21:26 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong Hong Kong tourists are choosing South Korea and other mainland Chinese cities over Japan for their Christmas holiday, a trade body has said, while predicting about 1,500 outbound tours will depart the city. Fanny Yeung Shuk-fun, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, said on Wednesday that 60 per cent of Hong Kong’s tour groups would leave via high-speed rail, mostly for short-haul trips lasting three to four days. “We predict that there will be about 1,500 outbound tours during the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337573/japan-loses-appeal-hongkongers-favour-south-korea-mainland-china-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337573/japan-loses-appeal-hongkongers-favour-south-korea-mainland-china-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 04:39:01 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hundreds of Hong Kong tourists were in Japan when a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck late Monday night, but local authorities said all were reported safe with no requests for help received so far. The Travel Industry Council on Tuesday said that about 20 Hong Kong tour groups – with about 300 people – were in the country when the quake hit northern Japan at 11.15pm, triggering a warning of an increased risk of a magnitude 8 or larger earthquake in the coming week. “All of them are... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335805/hundreds-hong-kong-tourists-safe-after-powerful-earthquake-rocks-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335805/hundreds-hong-kong-tourists-safe-after-powerful-earthquake-rocks-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:15:04 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu A Hong Kong travel agency has allegedly broken the law by announcing its plan to fold only a day before its closure, affecting 1,500 customers and involving about HK$1.7 million (US$218,400), according to a watchdog. The Travel Industry Authority on Wednesday vowed to investigate M&F Lucky Holiday after the company announced on Monday its intention to cease operations the following day. “It constitutes a breach of the ordinance,” the watchdog said, referring to the Travel Industry Ordinance,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335014/hong-kong-travel-agency-probed-announcing-closure-only-day-it-folds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335014/hong-kong-travel-agency-probed-announcing-closure-only-day-it-folds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:06:03 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong Olympian Vivian Kong Man-wai admitted she was a newcomer to the tourism field during a lively election forum on Thursday, as she faced off against rival Ma Yat-chiu, who highlighted his industry credentials. She pledged, however, to serve the sector with the “fighting spirit of an athlete” if elected to the Legislative Council seat representing the tourism industry during the December 7 poll. The fencing star, who won gold at the 2024 Olympics, acknowledged she was less familiar with... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3333592/olympian-vivian-kong-parries-jabs-fighting-spirit-hong-kong-poll-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3333592/olympian-vivian-kong-parries-jabs-fighting-spirit-hong-kong-poll-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:50:29 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball The National Games officially open in Guangzhou on Sunday, but Hong Kong is already well into its role as co-host and a pivotal centre for the action and organisation over the next two weeks. Tens of thousands of athletes, officials and tourists are expected to descend on the city, which is hosting eight events and there were sell-out crowds at the beach volleyball and men’s handball on Saturday. And while there are tickets still available for sports such as the rugby sevens and triathlon, day... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3332073/national-games-excitement-builds-hong-kong-embraces-pivotal-role-ahead-opening-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3332073/national-games-excitement-builds-hong-kong-embraces-pivotal-role-ahead-opening-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:40:30 +0000 Harvey Kong,Wynna Wong Harvey Kong,Wynna Wong Hong Kong travel agencies are capitalising on the National Games by offering package tours for mainland Chinese visitors to attend sporting events in the city this month, with golf and rugby proving most popular. Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said tour groups organised by his company were generally smaller in scale, with mainland visitors representing a “more mature” travel demographic with greater spending power. This year marks the first time... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3332005/hong-kong-travel-agencies-target-national-games-windfall-amid-tourism-upsurge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3332005/hong-kong-travel-agencies-target-national-games-windfall-amid-tourism-upsurge?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Nov 2025 04:00:19 +0000 Willa Wu,Wynna Wong Willa Wu,Wynna Wong Local travel agencies have been urged to reschedule the departure times for short-haul trips that fall on the Legislative Council’s election day on December 7, as part of the efforts by the tourism sector to help boost voter turnout. But the Travel Industry Council on Tuesday also said it was not encouraging members to provide discounts for customers who voted, after reports suggested that some agencies were considering sweeteners to help boost turnout. Businesses are offering half-day paid... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331515/hong-kong-travel-agents-urged-reschedule-trips-falling-legco-election-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331515/hong-kong-travel-agents-urged-reschedule-trips-falling-legco-election-day?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 11:52:24 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk The Philippines, with a coastline stretching more than 36,000km (22,400 miles), cemented its reputation for beach holidays in Asia after being named – once again – as the best beach, dive and island destination in the 2025 World Travel Awards gala ceremony on Monday. This year’s Asia’s Leading Beach Destination award was the country’s eighth, ABS-CBN reported. The Philippines also scored its seventh consecutive recognition as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination and back-to-back victory as Asia’s... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3329136/philippines-extends-win-streak-world-travel-awards-top-asia-honours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3329136/philippines-extends-win-streak-world-travel-awards-top-asia-honours?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:14:40 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hotels in Macau enjoyed an occupancy rate of more than 90 per cent over the weekend as a double dose of popular events – the NBA China Games and three nights of concerts – gave the tourism industry a big boost, according to industry experts. “The NBA played two games to near-full venues of audiences,” Andy Wu Keng-kuong, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Macau, told the Post on Monday, a day after the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns played their second and final game on Sunday... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3328855/tourism-boost-macau-nba-china-games-concerts-help-hotels-hit-90-occupancy-rates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3328855/tourism-boost-macau-nba-china-games-concerts-help-hotels-hit-90-occupancy-rates?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 13:06:30 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong retailers and caterers have reported business growth of up to 20 per cent year on year during mainland China’s National Day “golden week” break, with one tourist spending a whopping HK$1 million (US$128,500) on international brands. Industry leaders said stores selling gold, jewellery and cosmetic products emerged as the big winners as the eight-day break wrapped up on Wednesday, while cha chaan teng were the top dining choice, followed by Chinese restaurants. Cha chaan teng are Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328273/hong-kong-retailers-caterers-enjoy-national-day-break-business-growth-20?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328273/hong-kong-retailers-caterers-enjoy-national-day-break-business-growth-20?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:20:13 +0000 Wynna Wong,Matthew Cheng,Oscar Liu Wynna Wong,Matthew Cheng,Oscar Liu Hong Kong can expect 1.5 million mainland Chinese visitors over the National Day “golden week” break, a 10 per cent rise from last year, a tourism industry leader has said, with the city set to offer celebratory discounts, ranging from transport to movie tickets, for the occasion. The anticipated uptick could see the city once again return to peak levels recorded in 2018, when the tally reached 1.52 million. Tommy Tam Kwong-shun, chairman of the Travel Industry Council, also said on Tuesday that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325754/hong-kong-welcome-15-million-mainland-chinese-visitors-national-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325754/hong-kong-welcome-15-million-mainland-chinese-visitors-national-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:28:33 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok A second Hong Kong tour group member has died following a crash on a scenic highway in Xinjiang last week that left two others injured. The Travel Industry Authority said a member of the tour organised by Travel Circle International (TCI) died on Monday. The first person was killed on the night of the accident in the far-western region of mainland China last Wednesday. The authority expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and said it would continue to work closely with the travel agency to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3324798/second-hong-kong-tourist-injured-xinjiang-highway-crash-dies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3324798/second-hong-kong-tourist-injured-xinjiang-highway-crash-dies?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:07:56 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun One person has died and three others have been injured in a traffic accident involving a Hong Kong tour group in Xinjiang. The Travel Industry Authority said on Friday that it was notified by Travel Circle International on Wednesday that the tour group was involved in a traffic accident that day in the autonomous mainland Chinese region. The group, which included 20 tourists, departed on August 27 on an 18-day visit to Xinjiang. Four tourists from two families were injured, including one who... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3324553/1-person-killed-3-hurt-xinjiang-traffic-accident-involving-hong-kong-tour-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3324553/1-person-killed-3-hurt-xinjiang-traffic-accident-involving-hong-kong-tour-group?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:52:46 +0000 Jiang Chuqin Jiang Chuqin A tsunami triggered by a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka peninsula on Wednesday was likely to have caused a “sea-level anomaly of around seven centimetres” in Hong Kong, the Observatory said. The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region and triggered four-metre-high (13-foot) waves, while residents in many areas along Japan’s eastern seaboard were ordered to evacuate. Earlier in the day, the Observatory said... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320099/small-impact-hong-kong-expected-tsunami-caused-earthquake-near-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320099/small-impact-hong-kong-expected-tsunami-caused-earthquake-near-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:14:23 +0000