Editorial | Hong Kong’s tourists deserve to be respected no matter how much they spend
Revoking the licence of a tour guide for threatening mainland visitors in a bid to make them spend money should serve as a warning to others
Hong Kong is striving to become a top tourist destination following the reopening of borders last year after the pandemic.
A busy schedule of mega events and new attractions has been devised, with festivities for the Mid-Autumn Festival the latest draw. But such efforts will be undermined if visitors do not enjoy their trip to Hong Kong and experience bad service.
The recent decision of the Travel Industry Council to revoke the licence of a tour guide for threatening mainland tourists in a bid to make them spend money has renewed concerns about problems with cut-price tours.
There have been controversies in the past when tour guides, under pressure to earn commission because the price of the package is so low, bullied visitors in a bid to force them to make purchases in designated outlets.
Rules were tightened to improve standards after a guide hurled abuse at mainland visitors who were reluctant to buy in 2010.
The latest incident also damaged the city’s reputation as a tourist destination. The council was right to strike off the guide after conducting an investigation. This should serve as a warning to others.
