I was re-elected Chairman of the TIC uncontested in late December last year.
When I first assumed the office of Chairman in late 2003, the SARS outbreak had just become a nightmare of the past, and the industry and the Hong Kong economy were just beginning to pick up. It is therefore most gratifying to see that when my term of office expired at the end of last year, both the industry and the economy not only recovered fully, but were actually in better shape than ever before.
That said, it does not mean that the industry and the TIC were sailing ahead in calm seas during the past three years. Quite the contrary, in fact. That is why I am happy and at the same time can feel the heavy responsibilities expected of the Chairman of the TIC after my successful re-election. In the next three years, I will try my best to achieve the following objectives:
Complete the Research Project for Risk Management for the Travel Industry, and inform members of its findings such as risk management measures and guidelines;
Notify members of the proposals to be submitted by the consultancy which concern the purchase of liability insurance and its financing solutions;
Strongly advise outbound travellers to purchase travel insurance;
Fight for the exemption of the Form 5 qualification required of industry members when they apply for registration as travel insurance agents;
Keep on lobbying the authorities so that e-levy will be implemented soon;
Closely monitor the implementation of the same-day voiding regulation to address problems arising from it;
Tackle the problem of "zero-fare" tours by imposing heavier penalties and establishing closer working relationships with the tourism authorities and traders on the mainland;
Redress a lack of tourist guides who speak foreign languages;
Work closely with the Hong Kong Tourism Board in a bid to attract more international visitors.
Apart from the specific issues mentioned in the above, the TIC will continue to negotiate with the mainland authorities for further opening up of the mainland market. And the long-term cooperation between the TIC and airlines, which has been one of many foci of work of the TIC, will continue to be highly valued in future.
The travel and tourism industry having so many closely connected sectors, good performance or otherwise for one sector would mean the same for all sectors of the industry. As such, the TIC will strive to foster better communication and closer cooperation with all sectors of the industry with a view to greater development and a brilliant future for all those involved.
Finally, let me wish you a most prosperous year.
Ronnie Ho
12 January 2007