A tourism-industry representative called on authorities on Tuesday to consider putting in place a reward system to encourage tour guides to report malpractices such as forced shopping.

The suggestion came after the Travel Industry Authority revoked the licences of two travel agencies and a tour guide on Monday for coercing mainland tourists into making purchases – the second such enforcement action in a month.

Speaking on RTHK, Sara Leung, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Tourism Industry Employees' General Union, said that with the Travel Industry Authority saying it lacked the manpower to carry out inspections and law-enforcement action, a reward system could encourage more people to report malpractices.

"Look, people in the trade sometimes see things. If they can report them and get a reward, then more people might be willing to take part," she said.

"That way, you won't have to worry about the manpower problem.''

Leung said low‑cost package tours are the easiest way to attract customers in the highly competitive sector, with agents often having to resort to methods like coercive shopping in order to to make a profit.

For some agencies, she added, it's a quick way to earn money.

However, Leung said, such reports of forced shopping are very damaging to the reputation of the industry, making visitors reluctant to join package tours.


Edited by Tony Sabine