Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme

This is a government initiative aimed at encouraging travel agents to develop in-depth, thematic itineraries that showcase unique local characteristics of Hong Kong. The scheme's key details are as follows:

Objectives:

• Promote the development of distinctive, in-depth travel itineraries with unique local themes.
• Attract inbound tourists to explore Hong Kong’s cultural, ecological, historical, and pop culture features.
• Support sustainable and long-term growth of the tourism industry.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Eligible travel agents organizing inbound tours.
• Tours must be designed under six distinctive themes: Great Green Escape, Water Adventure, Legacy of Joy, HK Pop Culture, Journey Through National History, and Unconventional Journey.

Funding and Incentives:

• Cash incentive of HK$400 per inbound tourist participant on eligible tours.
• Each travel agent has a participant quota of 250 tourists.
• Maximum incentive amount per travel agent is HK$100,000.
• Quotas reset on 1 October 2024; unused quotas from Phase One do not carry over.

Application Process:

• Travel agents must pre-register tour itineraries via an online e-registration form before tour departure.
• Applications for cash incentives must be submitted online by 30 April 2025.
• Incomplete or late submissions will not be processed.

Key Features:

• Focus on thematic, in-depth travel experiences highlighting Hong Kong’s unique local culture and environment.
• Encourages innovation in tour design with six specific thematic categories.
• Provides financial support to travel agents to incentivize the creation and promotion of these tours.
• Phase Two builds on Phase One, expanding scope and incentive levels to further stimulate the tourism trade.

For detailed application guidelines and forms, travel agents are directed to the official CTIS Guide to Application and online submission portals on the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong website.