1. |
Objectives |
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(1) |
To ensure that the public receives the best possible service
from travel agents. |
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(2) |
To maintain and enhance the reputation, standing and good
name of the TIC and its members. |
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(3) |
To encourage initiative and enterprise in the belief that
properly regulated competitive trading by and between travel agents will
best serve public interest and the well-being of the travel industry. |
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(4) |
To ensure that public interest be predominant in all considerations
of the standards of competitive trading between travel agents. |
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(5) |
To encourage the growth and development of the travel industry
consistently with the above objectives. |
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2. |
Principles |
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(1) |
This Code is designed to regulate activities between TIC members
and the public and between members themselves in relation to outbound package
tours. |
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(2) |
This Code recognises the need to regulate the operating standards
and sales procedure of outbound package tours generally and to regulate
competitive commercial practices that are considered by the TIC to be in
conflict with public interest. |
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(3) |
This Code embodies measures for enforcing the standards and
procedures which a member shall observe under the authority of the TIC.
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3. |
Conduct between Travel Agents and the Public |
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(1) |
Registration of Outbound Package
Tour Brochures (see Directive No. 228) |
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(2) |
Advertising |
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All advertising and promotion by a member shall comply with
the Code of Advertising Practice for Travel Agents and Directives issued
by the Board from time to time. |
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(3) |
Conditions of Tour Booking and Responsibilities |
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(a) |
"Conditions of Tour Booking and Responsibilities"
shall define the extent of the responsibilities as well as the liabilities
of a member towards clients and shall be so designed that they can be easily
read and understood. |
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(b) |
"Conditions of Tour Booking and Responsibilities"
shall prominently indicate the circumstances in which and the conditions
on which surcharges may be imposed on clients. |
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(c) |
"Conditions of Tour Booking and Responsibilities"
shall clearly indicate a member's general policy both in the event of his
cancelling a package tour or in the event of his altering part of a package
tour. |
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(d) |
"Conditions of Tour Booking and Responsibilities"
shall clearly state the amount of, or the basis for calculating the cancellation
fees which clients shall be liable to incur as well as the terms and conditions
under which clients shall be liable to incur such fees. |
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(e) |
A member shall disseminate and interpret his "Conditions
of Tour Booking and Responsibilities" to every client on or before
confirmation of the booking or produce such information to the clients on
request. |
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(f) |
"Conditions of Tour Booking and Responsibilities"
shall conform to all relevant provisions of the Code. |
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(4) |
Package Tour Service Charge |
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(see Directive No. 224) |
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(5) |
Surcharges |
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(a) |
A member shall confirm all tour fares 28 days before the commencement
date of all package tours except in circumstances described in subsection
(9) below or where the TIC considers as appropriate. |
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(b) |
A member shall be entitled to impose an additional charge
on his clients before full and final payment of a package tour has been
made if: |
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(i) |
there shall be an increase in the operation costs resulting
from variations in the rate of exchange exceeding three per cent; |
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(ii) |
there shall be an increase in operation costs due to unforeseeable
circumstances with reasonable grounds and the additional charge is proportionate
to such increase. |
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(c) |
If a member is entitled to impose a surcharge under paragraph
(a) or (b) above, the clients affected shall have the option of paying the
surcharge or cancelling their package tours and receiving all money paid
within seven working days. |
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(d) |
A member shall inform his clients promptly of his decision
to impose a surcharge. |
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(6) |
(see Directive No. 228) |
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(7) |
Levy |
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(see Directive Nos. 234 and 235) |
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(8) |
Cancellation of Package Tours for Reasons Beyond Control
of Travel Agents |
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(see Directive No. 223) |
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(9) |
Material Alterations to Package Tours for Reasons Beyond
Control of Travel Agents |
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(a) |
A member shall endeavour not to make any material alteration
to a package tour. |
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(b) |
If a member makes a material alteration to a package tour
prior to its commencement for reasons beyond his control and in which case
it results in increasing the operation costs, he shall inform his clients
without delay and shall give his clients the choice of either accepting
the alteration with a reasonable adjustment in the tour price, or of receiving
a full refund of all money paid within seven working days. However, if it
results in reducing the operation costs, he shall offer a refund to his
clients proportionate to such reduction in costs within seven working days.
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(c) |
If a member makes a material alteration to a package tour
after its commencement for reasons beyond his control, he may impose any
additional charge to his clients as a result of an increase in operation
costs; however, if such material alteration results in reducing the operation
costs, he shall offer a reasonable refund to his clients proportionate to
such reduction in costs within one month after completion of the package
tour. |
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(10) |
Definition of "Reasons Beyond Control" |
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(see Directive No. 177) |
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(11) |
Cancellation and Alteration for Other Reasons |
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(a) |
(see Directive No. 239) |
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(b) |
(see Directive No. 239) |
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(c) |
If a member cancels a package tour prior to its commencement
for reasons other than those stated in subsection (10), he shall make refund
applications to banks for credit card payments of tour fares within three
working days. |
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(d) |
If a member makes a material alteration to a package tour
after its commencement for reasons other than those stated in subsection
(10), he shall not impose any additional charge to his clients as a result
of an increase in operation costs; however, if such material alteration
results in reducing the operation costs, he shall offer reasonable refund
to his clients proportionate to such reduction. |
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(12) |
Visa Charges |
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(see Directive No. 79) |
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(13) |
Tour Escorts |
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(see Directive No. 169) |