M&F Lucky Holiday probed for announcing closure a day before folding

The Travel Industry Authority (TIA) will look into travel agency M&F Lucky Holiday (幸運假期) after it announced the plan to cease operations a day before its closure, affecting 1,500 customers and involving around HK$1.7 million.

M&F Lucky Holiday informed TIA on 1 December of its intention to cease travel agency operations on 2 December. This action violates regulations requiring licensed travel agents to notify the watchdog in writing at least 14 days before ceasing operations.

The TIA said that it immediately initiated the license revocation process and reminded the company to stop accepting new travel service bookings. It also instructed the company to properly handle existing customer orders, including arranging for refunds.

According to information from the TIA, M&F Lucky Holiday stopped accepting new travel service bookings after notifying the watchdog of its intention to cease operations. Regarding the travel service orders received before submitting the notice, the watchdog is aware that M&F Lucky Holiday is currently in contact with the affected customers to arrange refunds or compensation.

Preliminary investigation shows that around 1,500 customers are affected. Based on data from the Travel Industry Compensation Fund's electronic stamp duty system, M&F Lucky Holiday has outstanding travel expenses of around HK$1.7 million for outbound tours that have not yet departed. Outbound travellers who possess receipts for travel expenses stamped with the travel industry compensation fund (TICF) and suffer losses due to the closure of a licensed travel agent can apply to the TIA for special compensation, with a maximum reimbursement of 90% of their lost travel expenses.

The TIA is investigating the case for suspected regulatory violations. Based on the findings, appropriate legal actions will be taken, and follow-ups on fraud or other illegal activities will be coordinated with relevant law enforcement agencies.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to M&F Lucky Holiday for a statement. 

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Operating under the names 醉美中國, 醉美遊中國, and 醉美遊, M&F Lucky Holiday primarily offers mainland tours and a few Asian tours, with four locations in Hong Kong located in Mong Kok, Kwun Tong, Tuen Mun, and Tsuen Wan, according to the company’s website.

Meanwhile, M&F Lucky Holiday's Facebook page has not been active since June 2020, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE confirmed. 

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