2 Hong Kong travel agencies, guide stripped of licences over ‘coerced shopping’

The Hong Kong tourism authority has stripped licences from two travel agencies and a guide for failing to prevent "coerced shopping" on mainland Chinese tour groups. The Travel Industry Authority revoked the licences of Go Go Ming Travel Services, Grandee Travel Company and guide Sun Kwun-ying immediately. The watchdog stated it takes a "zero-tolerance approach" to coerced shopping and any conduct that harms Hong Kong's tourism industry reputation.

Two cases from February and April led to the decision, where the investigations found the agencies and guide failed to stop tour participants from being pressured into shopping. The authority also plans to intensify inspections ahead of the China's National Day holiday when many visitors are expected to arrive. Lawmaker Nixie Lam welcomed the move, urging the authority to collaborate with customs and police for more inspections of tourist spots and shops during the holiday period.

She called for better training and compliance education for tourism workers to prevent coercive shopping. This is the third time this year the authority has revoked licences for such misconduct, with previous revocations in April and June.