Twenty-four Filipino tourists visit the Peak yesterday. The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong arranged a free tour for the stranded tourists after they were allegedly cheated by their travel agent. EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY

Hong Kong government steps in to welcome travelers

Twenty-four Filipino tourists allegedly cheated by their travel agent in the Philippines have thanked the Hong Kong government for the generous hospitality they received.

The travel company that was supposed to pick them up on Tuesday night did not exist and the tourists were stranded at the airport for six hours before seeking police help.

With the assistance of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the tourists were accommodated in a hotel in To Kwa Wan yesterday morning.

Council Executive Director Joseph Tung said they were concerned about the situation, which affected Filipino tourists coming to Hong Kong, and would like to work with the Filipino government to investigate the problem.

"At this stage, we are trying our utmost to help the tourists continue their trip as originally scheduled. We hope they will not be disappointed," Tung said, adding that the council will collect tour fees from the tourists, but with sponsors, thus possibly reducing the original $200 trip per person to only $70.

Tung said they do not suspect that local involvement played a role in the deception, and believes that the tourists were indeed cheated by their travel agent in the Philippines.

The tourism sector lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun told reporters that the affected tourists were the victims of a scam. They had no success in reaching several government departments for help, because by the time they were able to do so it was already after regular office hours, Tse noted. This compelled Tse to propose that the government create a one-stop liaison mechanism to run 24 hours per day. Tse also urged the Filipino government to investigate the incident to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Vice Consul of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong Val Roque believes the case is one of fraud. His office is ready to advise the tourists if they want to file complaints. Nonetheless, Roque was pleased to note that the tourists "seem to be enjoying their stay in Hong Kong."

The tourists have expressed gratitude for the SAR government's assistance. Lucia, one of them, said, "We have no money to spend in Hong Kong because all the money is in the hands of the agent. We are thankful the Hong Kong government has taken care of us!"

The Filipino tourists, who are mainly civil servants and retirees, paid the Nickle Travel and Tour Agency in the Philippines about HK$4,000 each for a four-night trip to Hong Kong. The journey was supposed to include trips to Macao and Shenzhen.

A spokesman for the Nickle Travel and Tour Agency claims they had subcontracted the tour to a Hong Kong travel agency and transferred a deposit to them, so that the latter could arrange accommodations for the tourists. However, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong confirmed that the related travel agency mentioned has not obtained a Travel Agent's license from the council.

(HK Edition 03/11/2010 page1)