Committees

According to the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634) (Ordinance), the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) may establish different committees to refer a matter within the scope of its functions to a committee for consideration, inquiry or handling. Apart from the Disciplinary Committee, TIA has also established five other committees to assist TIA to formulate, administer and oversee policies in specific areas.

The committees are:

Codes and Guidelines Committee

1. Formulates and reviews guidelines, directives and codes of conduct regulating travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts
2. Establishes and implements an administrative scheme for regulating shops that inbound tour groups are arranged to patronise
3. Offers advice on disputes between consumers and licensees that do not involve disciplinary matters as well as administration of the relevant independent panel until such panel has been appointed by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

Compensation Committee

1. Considers whether the Travel Industry Compensation Fund (TICF) should be used to handle cases of outbound travellers applying for ex gratia payments in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance
2. Determines the amount of ex gratia payments for cases where outbound travellers apply for ex gratia payments
3. Considers whether to allocate funds from TICF to cover the expenses incurred by TIA in performing its functions relating to TICF in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance

Corporate Services Committee

1. Handles all related matters for administrative, staff and resource of TIA
2. Considers matters related to the external affairs and publicity of TIA
3. Deals with matters related to the funds of TIA as well as the investment strategy and the financial management of the Travel Industry Compensation Fund
4. Manages the e-levy system

Development Committee

1. Manages and uses the funds set aside from the Travel Industry Compensation Fund for supporting the continuous development of the travel industry
2. Considers and formulates, as necessary, guidelines and procedures for applications for funding as well as criteria for their evaluation and approval in support of the continuous development of the travel industry
3. Evaluates applications, sets terms and conditions for approved projects, and formulates arrangements for disbursement of funding
4. Oversees the progress and outcomes of approved projects and disbursement of funding

Disciplinary Committee

1. Deals with disciplinary matters
2. Develops procedures to deal with disciplinary cases
3. Formulates and implements a disciplinary mechanism for disciplinary actions against licensees

Licensing Committee

1. Handles the licensing of travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts
2. Considers matters relating to pre-examination courses, licensing examinations and Continuing Professional Development scheme for tourist guides and tour escorts
3. Considers matters relating to training courses for authorised representatives of travel agents