In a separate media briefing, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reported that Chief Executive John Lee emphasised the government’s zero-tolerance stance toward misconduct by tour operators during the upcoming National Day holiday. Lee noted that the Travel Industry Authority recently revoked the licences of two agencies and a tour guide for forced-shopping infractions and warned that further violations would lead to immediate deregistration. Lee cited the successful first weekend of the real-name booking system at the Po Pin Chau trail as evidence that reservation mechanisms can ease pressure on fragile eco-sites. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will bolster on-site staffing to help first-time users navigate the system and to encourage responsible waste disposal. The Chief Executive also called on residents to adopt a “welcoming and courteous attitude”, framing the holiday as both an economic opportunity and a reputational stress-test for Hong Kong’s service culture. Government websites will provide up-to-the-minute information on boundary-crossing wait times, attraction opening hours and public-transport adjustments. For inbound-travel planners, the remarks signal that Hong Kong will heavily police shopping-tour behaviour and may impose sudden operational restrictions if crowd conditions deteriorate. Corporates scheduling incentive groups during Golden Week should ensure itineraries comply with TIA guidelines and incorporate buffer time for reservation-based attractions. The renewed enforcement pledge aligns with Hong Kong’s broader strategy to rebuild consumer confidence after several high-profile forced-shopping incidents went viral on mainland social media earlier this year, denting the city’s image as a shopper’s paradise.
Source: RTHK
