HK government rolls out new measures to support tourism-related sectors

The Hong Kong government has announced its plans to provide a new round of special further cash subsidies to the travel trade and practitioners, hoping to support the industry which is affected by the pandemic. 

The government said the provision of about HK$377 million will be earmarked under the Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF) for providing special further support to the tourism and related sectors. 

For example, travel agents with 10 or fewer staff members will be provided with a subsidy at a flat rate of HK$50,000 each; for travel agents with 11 staff members or more, the subsidy level will be directly proportional to the number of staff members they have, with a subsidy level of HK$5,000 per staff member as the basis of calculation. It is expected that 1,600 travel agents will benefit from this measure. For travel agents' staff and freelance accredited tourist guides and tour escorts whose main occupation is tourist guide and tour escort, they will receive a one-off subsidy of HK$7,500. About 18,400 people will benefit from this measure as well. 

Moreover, drivers of tour service coaches mainly serving tourists will receive a one-off subsidy of HK$3,350 will be provided to each tour service coach driver. This measure is expected to benefit 3,400 drivers. 

For travel agents or practitioners who are eligible for and have been granted subsidies in the last round of the Tourism Industry Additional Support Scheme, they are eligible for this new round of special further cash subsidies and need not submit applications afresh. The first subsidy payments are expected to be made starting from early September.

"Despite our efforts, with the pandemic still widely affecting the world, cross-boundary or border travel can hardly be resumed in the near term. Taking into account the grave challenges faced by the tourism industry continuously, the government has decided to provide a round of special further subsidies to continue to support the relevant trades and tide over practitioners during this challenging period," said Edward Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development. 

He added, "During the past period of time, the government has, through various rounds of the AEF, provided financial support to the tourism-related industry and cross-boundary passenger transport trade. At times when the pandemic in Hong Kong has stabilised, the government has also been actively creating room for business for the tourism industry, including enabling the resumption of local tours and 'cruise-to-nowhere' itineraries, as well as exploring the arrangements of establishing 'travel bubbles' with other economies."

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