2011-01-21 17:23

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's Travel Industry Compensation Fund will raise the limit of compensation to outbound travelers who die or get injured, according to amendments of rules gazetted on Friday.

The total amount of ex gratia payments under the Travel Industry Compensation Fund to outbound travelers, who die or are injured in accidents when taking part in activities provided or organized by a travel agent, and the travelers' relatives, will be increased from a maximum of 180,000 HK dollars to 300,000 HK dollars.

The amendment is part of the Travel Industry Compensation Fund (Amount of Ex gratia Payments and Financial Penalty) (Amendment) Rules 2011 gazetted on Friday and will be effective from March 16.

Other amendments include increasing the maximum amount of ex gratia payments in connection with compassionate visits by the relatives or spouses of the injured or deceased travelers from HK$40, 000 to HKS100,000. The restriction on the number of relatives paying compassionate visits, which is currently set at a maximum of two, will be removed, while the ceiling of ex gratia payment for each relative or former spouse will be raised from HK$20,000 to HK$25,000.

The Amendment Rules also increase the maximum amount of ex gratia payments in relation to funerals or delivery back to Hong Kong of the dead bodies of outbound travelers who died in accidents while abroad from 40,000 HK dollars to 100,000 HK dollars. The maximum amount of ex gratia payments for medical expenses remains unchanged at 100,000 HK dollars. (US$1 = HK$7.785)