TOPIC

Travel Industry Council

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 enquiries. Notably, it played a crucial role in self-regulation under the Travel Agents Ordinance and established the Travel Industry Compensation Fund, transitioning to a federation of trade associations in 2022.

Tourists ride in an open-top bus in Central during the Labour Day holiday. Authorities expect about 980,000 mainland Chinese visitors to come to Hong Kong for the break. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong tourism

Ultra-low-priced tours exploiting mainland Chinese visitors survive crackdown

Officials insist cases are isolated, as SCMP reporter joins tour pressuring visitors to spend on extra activities, items.

4 May 2026 - 11:04AM

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong to step up crackdown on tourist scams during Labour Day ‘golden week’

25 Apr 2026 - 4:26PM

Hong Kong tourism

Editorial | Stamp out coercive shopping tours to uphold Hong Kong’s reputation

19 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong tourism

Cheap tours blamed for coerced shopping in Hong Kong: tourism experts

Industry also called on authorities to step up random inspections during coming Labour Day ‘golden week’ holiday.

14 Apr 2026 - 7:18PM

Visitors at the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong society

Licence of Hong Kong travel agency revoked after guide coerced visitors to shop

Star Link Travel failed to rectify problem after four instances of coercive behaviour by tour guide, Travel Industry Authority says.

13 Apr 2026 - 7:31PM

Hong Kong economy

More Hongkongers to travel over long Easter break despite higher costs

60 per cent of outbound travellers expected to head to mainland cities, with high-speed rail continuing to gain popularity as the preferred mode of transport.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:00AM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:49PM

Emergency response personnel work at the site of damage after Iranian missile barrages struck Dimona in southern Israel on March 21, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong tourism

30% jump in demand for regional holidays among Hongkongers amid Middle East war

Industry players say local travellers more cautious ahead of Easter holiday amid rising airfares and disrupted routes.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:20AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Middle East conflict to drive up airfares for Hong Kong travellers: analysts

Suspension of major transit hubs in Dubai and Doha sends travellers scrambling for flights on ‘conflict-free’ paths to Europe.

2 Mar 2026 - 11:00PM

Hong Kong tourism

How Hongkongers are using a longer Lunar New Year break for travel

South Korea and Japan also popular as some residents make the most of break by taking two days of leave to enjoy nine consecutive days off.

13 Feb 2026 - 9:27PM

Travellers at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong set for Lunar New Year tourism bump with 6% rise in mainland visitors

Up to 1.4 million mainland visitors will set foot in city during holiday, according to Travel Industry Council projections.

3 Feb 2026 - 8:31AM

Tourists pose for pictures at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong travel agency backs out of Taiwan trip over controversial film screening

Jetport Travel also distances itself from promotion of tour organised by e-commerce platform As One, says wording ‘crossed the line’.

24 Jan 2026 - 10:59PM

Hong Kong tourism

Expansion of Hong Kong high-speed rail services ‘game-changing’ for tourism

Addition of 16 new mainland destinations will also meet peak travel demand of Lunar New Year holiday, tourism body chief says.

13 Jan 2026 - 7:23PM

Hong Kong society

650 Hongkongers on Taiwan group tours confirmed safe after ‘terrifying’ quake

Earthquake occurred at 11.05pm in Taiwan, with epicentre located about 70km southeast of Taipei and at focal depth of 60km, Observatory says.

28 Dec 2025 - 9:26PM

The earthquake occurred at 11.05pm in Taiwan. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong tourism

Japan loses out as Hongkongers pick South Korea, mainland China this Christmas

‘The main reason is that Japan has experienced several incidents … including bear attacks and earthquakes,’ Travel Industry Council says.

24 Dec 2025 - 9:57PM

Around 1,500 outbound tours are expected to depart the city this Christmas. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong society

Hundreds of Hong Kong tourists safe after powerful earthquake rocks Japan

About 20 tour groups from Hong Kong were in the country when 7.5-magnitude tremor hit northern Japan, triggering megaquake warning.

9 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong travel agency probed for revealing closure day before it folded

M&F Lucky Holiday, which owes 1,500 customers about HK$1.7 million for cancelled tours, could be in breach of Travel Industry Ordinance.

3 Dec 2025 - 8:31PM

Legislative Council election 2025

Olympian Vivian Kong parries jabs with ‘fighting spirit’ in Hong Kong poll race

But rival Legco contender Ma Yat-chiu emphasises experience and says industry needs representative with deep knowledge.

20 Nov 2025 - 11:40PM

Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong brought her fighting spirit to the forum. Photo: Sam Tsang

2025 National Games

Excitement builds as Hong Kong embraces pivotal National Games role

The National Games will officially open in Guangzhou on Sunday, but Hong Kong is already well into its stride as a co-host.

9 Nov 2025 - 1:28AM

2025 National Games

Hong Kong travel agencies target National Games windfall amid tourism upsurge

Firms aiming to capitalise by courting mainland Chinese visitors with tours to attend sporting events and other activities in the city.

8 Nov 2025 - 12:36PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong travel agents urged to reschedule trips falling on Legco election day