A South China Morning Post investigation published on 4 May found that so-called “¥1 tours”—packages advertised for as little as one yuan on mainland platforms such as Xianyu and Fliggy—remain widespread in Hong Kong even after the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) revoked the licences of a local agency and tour guide earlier this year. Reporters who joined a Labour-Day holiday excursion were steered to multiple shopping stops and pressured to buy add-ons, revealing how operators rely on commissions to offset rock-bottom headline prices. The practice violates Hong Kong’s Package-Tour Regulations, which require full disclosure of compulsory spending and prohibit coercive sales tactics. Yet enforcement is challenging because many tours are sold across the border and guides meet customers only after they clear immigration in Hong Kong. The TIA says it has stepped up random inspections at popular attractions and will use undercover shoppers during peak seasons. From a mobility standpoint, the continued existence of bait-price tours could tarnish Hong Kong’s reputation as a hassle-free destination for corporate meetings and incentives. Travel-risk consultants urge employers to brief mainland delegates on their right to refuse optional purchases and to use licensed Hong Kong operators with transparent pricing. Lawmakers are considering heavier fines and mandatory QR-code disclosures on all advertising materials, a move industry groups say would create a clearer audit trail and deter bad actors. For now, multinationals sending staff to Hong Kong are advised to include a vetted-supplier clause in their travel policies and to monitor employee expense claims for undisclosed “shopping stops.”
Source: South China Morning Post
