Scuffle sullies image of Hong Kong tours

THE recent scuffle between a tour guide and her tourists may force the Hong Kong government to set up a new regulatory body for the industry. Commissioner for Tourism Philip Yung said on Tuesday that the government has 'deeply reviewed' the regulatory system of Hong Kong's tourism industry.

Including the feasibility of setting up a new independent body to regulate the industry apart from the current Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC). The TIC has been labeled as ineffective since a series of incidents surfaced of mainland tourists being forced to shop.The government will pass the review results to the Legislative Council for discussion by the end of this month, Mr Yung said.

When meeting Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, secretary for commerce and economic development on Tuesday afternoon, Legislator Lee Wah-ming recommended that the government arrange for the Travel Agent Registry to take over regulatory responsibility because the registry can revoke agency licences as the most severe punishment.

The conflict that embarrassed Hong Kong happened on Saturday, the third day of the Spring Festival holiday. A couple from East China's Anhui province, both 40, said their 37-year-old female tour guide verbally abused them after they spent two hours but bought nothing in a jewellry shop.

The verbal dispute then turned into a physical conflict. The husband and tour guide reportedly began to fight, while the wife and another tourist tried but failed to stop the scuffle. The husband later called police.The tour guide and three tourists, including the couple, were then detained by police. All claimed being injured in the fight.

Source = straitstimes