The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) launched the mobile Leisure Link e-Services System (mobile LLES) today (February 7). With the new service, members of the public can easily access the system with their smartphones and mobile devices anytime and anywhere to book the department's leisure facilities or enrol in its recreation and sports programmes. The department also announced new measures to clamp down on touting activities today.

     Tailor-made for smartphones and mobile devices using the iOS or Android operating systems, the mobile LLES provides a simple and clear layout design with the same booking procedures as the current Leisure Link Internet Booking System. The content of the webpages will be responsively adjusted automatically to fit the screen size of any mobile device in order to achieve the best viewing result. This will make the booking process more efficient and convenient as it is no longer necessary for users of mobile devices to enlarge or reduce the page sizes when browsing the Leisure Link system's webpages.

     Following the service upgrade, the LCSD plans to cease the Leisure Link telephone booking service with effect from April 1 this year. Members of the public may choose the other three available means for reservation or enrolment, namely Internet booking service or mobile LLES, self-service kiosks, or Leisure Link booking counters. Fees will be charged immediately upon reservation or enrolment. The cessation of the telephone booking system would also help prevent touting activities that involve abuse of the existing arrangement under which a hirer could confirm a booking by payment within three days.

     The department today also implemented a new measure to combat touting activities. When hirers cancel their bookings of leisure facilities through various Leisure Link booking channels, the cancelled sessions will cease to be available for booking immediately through the Leisure Link system. Under the new arrangement, the cancelled sessions will be posted on the LCSD website at 1am on the following day and be available for booking from 7.30am on the same day through various Leisure Link booking channels on a first-come, first-served basis. This new arrangement can prevent touting through cancelling bookings and immediately transferring the reserved slot. The LCSD is actively studying more anti-touting measures which will be launched later.

     In addition, further extension of Leisure Link booking functions is in the pipeline. This includes the provision of online booking service for holiday camp places left unfilled after balloting from the first quarter of this year, and the introduction of electronic payment functions via Apple Pay and Android Pay in the second quarter to facilitate instant fee payment by the public through their smartphones and mobile devices.

     For detailed information on the use of Leisure Link Internet booking service and mobile LLES, please visit the LCSD webpage at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/leisurelink/internet/index.html or call the enquiry hotline at 2679 6822.

     Members of the public can now experience the convenient and efficient booking service by accessing the mobile LLES at leisurelink.lcsd.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Issued at HKT 11:03

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