Scuffle sullies image of Hong Kong tours

HONG KONG - The recent scuffle between a tour guide and her tourists may force the Hong Kong government to set up a new regulatory body for the industry.

Commissioner for Tourism Philip Yung said on Tuesday that the government has "deeply reviewed" the regulatory system of Hong Kong's tourism industry, including the feasibility of setting up a new independent body to regulate the industry apart from the current Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC). The TIC has been labeled as ineffective since a series of incidents surfaced of mainland tourists being forced to shop.

The government will pass the review results to the Legislative Council for discussion by the end of this month, Yung said.