The Customs and Excise Department and the Travel Industry Authority visited four registered shops serving inbound tour groups on 21 September, as Hong Kong prepared for National Day Golden Week. The joint inspection and publicity operation covered several tourist shopping areas.
Officials discussed visitor-dispersal arrangements with shop representatives and reminded them to comply strictly with the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and provide visitors with a fair shopping experience.
The authorities also handed leaflets to visitors passing through or visiting the shops. The leaflets advised visitors to use licensed travel agencies and registered shops to help protect their consumer rights when booking tours or shopping.
Before the holiday, the Travel Industry Authority issued a notice to licensed travel agents and tour guides requiring compliance with the Tourism Industry Ordinance and licence-holder directions. It said itinerary planners should use visitor-dispersal measures, avoid sending too many tour groups to the same attraction at one time, and take account of special traffic arrangements and information about individual attractions.
The arrangements extend beyond the shops themselves. During Golden Week, the authority will deploy additional staff to inspect places frequently used by inbound tour groups, including major entry ports, registered shops, popular tourist attractions and restaurants visited by those groups.
Customs said it would continue inspections, enforcement and public education under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, and would follow up promptly when visitors were misled by improper business practices.