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The Tourism Commission, in co-operation with relevant government departments and the local travel industry, has drawn up various measures to prepare for Mainland visitor arrivals during the Mainland's National Day Golden Week (September 30 to October 7), a Government spokesman said today (September 26).
The spokesman said the Commission also held a working meeting with Guangdong and Shenzhen tourism authorities yesterday (September 25) to discuss Golden Week tourism information circulation, during which the two sides shared updates on relevant situations and liaised on preparatory and co-ordination measures as well as the timely handling of unexpected events involving travellers from both places. The two sides also agreed to further strengthen their co-operation in regulating the tourism market, and to increase the comprehensiveness of the mechanism for information exchange and emergency handling.
He added that during Golden Week, relevant government departments would deploy appropriate manpower and co-ordinate transport services to ensure the provision of efficient cross-boundary services for visitors.
The Joint Command Centre set up by the Immigration Department, the Police and other relevant departments will be activated during the period to monitor the situation at land control points and take contingency action where necessary.
"It is expected that passenger traffic between September 29 to October 7 will be very heavy. To avoid congestion during the morning and evening peak hours at various boundary control points, we suggest that Mainland visitors and local residents cross the boundary at less busy hours during the Golden Week period.
"Mainland visitors planning to come to Hong Kong during this period are also reminded to confirm their accommodation arrangements prior to their arrival," the spokesman said.
To better protect the interests of visitors, the Government and the travel industry will continue to implement various measures to promote "honest and quality tourism" during Golden Week.
On law enforcement, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will step up inspection of retail shops targeting Mainland group tours.
In regard to consumer awareness, the Consumer Council will continue to promote the Shop Smart in Hong Kong website aimed at Mainland tourists. An advisory note on consumer rights for Mainland group tour visitors has been uploaded to the websites of the Tourism Commission and relevant bodies, and was also published in the Mainland through the China National Tourism Administration. The Government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will distribute pamphlets and publicity materials at major boundary control points including Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau and Visitor Service Centres to enhance visitors' awareness of their consumer rights, consumption choices in Hong Kong and the Quality Tourism Services Scheme.
At the same time, to strengthen the regulation of arrangements for receiving inbound Mainland group tours and to protect visitors' rights, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) will continue to enforce the regulatory measures that were implemented in February 2011. Customs, the Police, the Consumer Council and the TIC will handle visitors' complaints in Hong Kong under a fast-track referral system.
"With the Tourism Commission's co-ordination, the major tourist attractions will extend their opening hours as appropriate and formulate measures and contingency arrangements for crowd control," the spokesman said.
To assist visitors in planning their trips, the Immigration Department will upload the daily arrival figures at all control points on its website (www.immd.gov.hk) from September 29 to October 7. Such information will also be hyperlinked to the HKTB's website (www.discoverhongkong.com) for visitors' reference.
Visitors may call the service hotlines of the TIC (2807 0707), the HKTB (2508 1234) or the Consumer Council (2929 2222) for enquiries.
Ends/Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:00
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