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The Travel Agents Registry today (February 6) announced that it had received written notification in the late afternoon yesterday from Megafun Holiday International Travel Limited (business name: Yi-Qi Tours, licence no: 353717) that its three branches will close today while its headquarters in Cheung Sha Wan will operate until February 8, 2013. The Registry and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong are working closely in rendering assistance to affected travellers to minimise the impact on them.
The Registry met the responsible persons of Yi-Qi Tours at an urgent meeting at 9.30pm last night to find out the cause of its closure of business, details of affected travellers and the arrangements for them. The responsible persons of Yi-Qi Tours attributed the closure to business difficulties. They estimated that there would be about 120 travellers affected, involving tour and package fees of about $360,000. Enquiries from Yi-Qi Tours customers may be made at its headquarters on or before February 8 at 3128 9000 or Room 2103-2105, 21/F, 9 Wing Hong Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon.
The Registry has activated the application mechanism of the Travel Industry Compensation Fund (TICF) to assist affected travellers, who are eligible for ex gratia payments under the TICF (Amount of Ex Gratia Payments and Financial Penalty) Rules, to apply for ex gratia payment, which shall be 90 per cent of the outbound fare. The Registry reminds the affected travellers of Yi-Qi Tours to keep the original receipts, which should be duly franked with the levy stamp, for use in their applications for ex gratia payment from the TICF.
Travellers who have enquiries about the application procedures or wish to register for making an application may call at the hotline of the TICF at 3151 7945. Telephone recording is available outside the normal office hours (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and any time before 9am and after 6pm on weekdays) and staff would contact the callers on the next working day.
Ends/Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:03
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