Two Travel Agencies, Tour Guide Lose Licenses Over Forced Shopping
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago4 MIN
Summary
The Travel Industry Authority (TIA) has revoked the licenses of two travel agencies and a tour guide for their involvement in forced shopping incidents targeting mainland tourists. Guoming Travel Ltd and Earl Travel Co Ltd, together with tour guide Sun Gun-ying (孫觀英), were found to have failed to protect tour group members from coercive shopping practices during visits in February and April this year. The regulator emphasized its zero-tolerance stance and announced heightened enforcement ahead of the National Day Golden Week holiday period.
Key Points
- Guoming Travel Ltd and Earl Travel Co Ltd had their operating licenses revoked by the TIA for failing to prevent forced shopping
- Tour guide Sun Gun-ying was also stripped of her license after making threatening remarks to coerce tourists into purchasing goods
- The violations occurred when the two agencies hosted mainland inbound tour groups in February and April 2026
- The TIA stated that licensees are legally obligated to ensure tourists are not harassed, coerced, or improperly influenced during shopping activities
- Violation of license conditions carries criminal penalties of up to HK$100,000 in fines and two years' imprisonment for agencies, and HK$50,000 plus one year for guides
- The TIA had previously revoked one travel agency and two tour guide licenses in April and June, and suspended a registered shop for 30 days
Why It Matters
With National Day Golden Week approaching, Hong Kong expects a surge in mainland visitor arrivals, making the TIA's enforcement action a critical signal that the city is committed to protecting tourist rights and maintaining its reputation as a welcoming travel destination .
With National Day Golden Week approaching, Hong Kong expects a surge in mainland visitor arrivals, making the TIA's enforcement action a critical signal that the city is committed to protecting tourist rights and maintaining its reputation as a welcoming travel destination .