Hong Kong News
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Wednesday, Mar 22, 2023
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New round, new tour offer
People can start saving their receipts of at least HK$800 for a new round of Spend-to-Redeem "Local Tours" by the Tourism Board, with around 2,000 tours to be launched on November 9.
Apart from the itineraries which cover the existing four themes of living culture, neighborhoods, scenic harbor and gastro-fantasies, a new theme - historical heritage - - will be added to the coming tours, making up a total of over 350 itineraries with 64,000 quotas.
The new theme aims to promote cultural and heritage-based tourism.
To get a free tour - or a premium tour with a small top-up fee - people can save their original receipts starting yesterday upon spending a minimum of HK$800 at local physical retail or dining outlets. A maximum of two receipts can be used for each redemption.
Similar to previous rounds, all tours include docent services, round-trip transportation, a meal and basic insurance coverage, and a visit to at least two attractions.
Lee said in his Policy Address on Wednesday that the government has earmarked HK$600 million for a three-year Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme, to encourage the tourism industry to promote the city's heritage.
The scheme will continue until November 30 next year.
Eligible travel agents may receive cash incentives - in basic or advanced versions - in respect of each participant of the cultural and heritage sites local tour they organize.
For the basic version, eligible travel agents can get HK$200 for each participant they serve, with a quota of up to 1,000 participants. The itinerary must be approved by licensed tourist guides and escorts, and meet the scheme's requirements to cover at least two recognized cultural and heritage sites, as well as cover transportation, meal and insurance arrangements.
For the advanced version, eligible travel agents can receive HK$400 for each participant they serve, with a quota of up to 200 participants.
To apply for the advanced version of cash incentives, travel agents have to take participants to at least one recognized cultural and heritage site, and one tourist activity comprising local cultural and heritage elements.
Participants will be received by licensed tourist guides and escorts who have completed cultural and heritage training courses recognized by the scheme.
The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the implementation agent of the scheme, will organize free docent training courses for licensed tour guides and escorts.
The new theme aims to promote cultural and heritage-based tourism.
To get a free tour - or a premium tour with a small top-up fee - people can save their original receipts starting yesterday upon spending a minimum of HK$800 at local physical retail or dining outlets. A maximum of two receipts can be used for each redemption.
Similar to previous rounds, all tours include docent services, round-trip transportation, a meal and basic insurance coverage, and a visit to at least two attractions.
Lee said in his Policy Address on Wednesday that the government has earmarked HK$600 million for a three-year Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme, to encourage the tourism industry to promote the city's heritage.
The scheme will continue until November 30 next year.
Eligible travel agents may receive cash incentives - in basic or advanced versions - in respect of each participant of the cultural and heritage sites local tour they organize.
For the basic version, eligible travel agents can get HK$200 for each participant they serve, with a quota of up to 1,000 participants. The itinerary must be approved by licensed tourist guides and escorts, and meet the scheme's requirements to cover at least two recognized cultural and heritage sites, as well as cover transportation, meal and insurance arrangements.
For the advanced version, eligible travel agents can receive HK$400 for each participant they serve, with a quota of up to 200 participants.
To apply for the advanced version of cash incentives, travel agents have to take participants to at least one recognized cultural and heritage site, and one tourist activity comprising local cultural and heritage elements.
Participants will be received by licensed tourist guides and escorts who have completed cultural and heritage training courses recognized by the scheme.
The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the implementation agent of the scheme, will organize free docent training courses for licensed tour guides and escorts.
