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The Travel Agents (Fee Concessions) Regulation 2015 was gazetted today (July 3). The Regulation seeks to give effect to the waivers of certain licence fees for six months payable by a travel agent. This is for the implementation of the short-term measures announced in the 2015-16 Budget to support the tourism sector which was among the sectors affected by the occupy movement.
Under the Regulation, the following fees under Schedule 1 to the Travel Agents Regulations (Cap. 218A) payable during the 12-month concession period from November 20, 2015, to November 19, 2016, will be waived in the following manner:
(a) the fee for a licence or renewal of a licence (i.e. $485 per month) be waived if its validity period begins within the concession period, subject to a maximum amount of $2,910 for six months in aggregate;
(b) half of the fee of $925 (i.e. $462.50) be waived for a duplicate licence required for every existing branch when the licence fee for renewal is waived under paragraph (a) above;
(c) handling and licence fees be fully waived for opening a new branch, including the fee of $665 for amending a licence and the fee for a duplicate licence for the branch; and
(d) the fee of $630 for applying for a new licence be fully waived.
"Travel agents do not need to apply for the above waivers separately because the fees concerned will be automatically waived if the conditions are met," a Government spokesman said.
The Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on July 8, 2015. Subject to its passage, the Regulation will take effect from November 20, 2015, for one year.
Travel agents will be notified of details of these waivers separately.
Ends/Friday, July 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:02
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