HONG KONG - Tourist authorities in Hong Kong and Shenzhen will strengthen cooperation to combat inbound travel agencies' malpractice, Hong Kong's Commissioner for Tourism Philip Yung Wai-hung said on Saturday.

Speaking on a radio talk show, Yung said short-term improvement measures will be implemented to maintain Hong Kong's tourism reputation, following a growing number of complaints from mainland tourists and a mainlander's death in late May.

He expressed his regret over the death of Chen Youming, the mainland tourist on May 22.

Chen, a retired national table tennis player, had a heart attack after quarrelling with a tour guide who allegedly refused to let him leave a jewelry shop.

Chen Yi, Chen's daughter, said on Sunday that the travel agency and the shop staff did not force her father to buy things in the shop, but it was the guide's rude attitude and language towards Chen, who then refused to do any shopping, that caused the latter's death. Chen Yi urged that the guide be punished so that similar tragedies might be prevented.

"The trip to Hong Kong was my gift to my parents. I never imagined it would turn out like this", she said.

The unlicensed tour guide, identified as Cheng Xiaobing, is suspected of using the license of another licensed tour guide for nearly five years.

Tourism Commissioner Yung said Hong Kong Police and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong are investigating the case and will impose tough penalties if investigations uncover illegal acts.

The incident showed that there is room for improvement in the arrangement of shopping itineraries and the authentication of tour guides' identities and qualifications, he said.

Yung said the Shenzhen tourist authorities have agreed to pass packaged tours' information to Hong Kong to facilitate the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong's early supervision.

The authorities will also consider sending undercover officers to conduct checks on inbound travel agencies, he added.

Joseph Tung Yao-chung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, said on Saturday that the tourism watchdog is considering adopting a points deduction system to clamp down on dodgy travel agents.

Tung said a points deduction system would help install discipline among industry practitioners. Travel agents who had seriously breached the council's regulations, or those who had the most points deducted, would have their licenses suspended.

The local government will also formulate medium-and long-term regulatory measures to ensure the trade's healthy development in the city.

The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong received 173 complaints from mainland tourists between January and May 15 this year, rising nearly 65 percent over the same period last year.

China Daily - Xinhua

(China Daily 06/07/2010 page5)