New Measure To Promote Multi-stop Tours In China

In the recently signed "Supplement 6 for Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement" 37 specific measures covering the liberalization of trade in services, financial cooperation, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications will be implemented from October 1, 2009.

Of the 29 measures on liberalization of trade in services, nine will first be put on a trial basis in Guangdong province.

Regarding cooperation in tourism, qualified travel agencies operating Taiwan tours in mainland China can arrange for tourists to get valid entry permits for mainland residents to Taiwan and a tourism endorsement to stay in Hong Kong for up to seven days so that agencies in the mainland and Hong Kong will launch new multi-stop tourism products.

In addition to these provision, Hong Kong permanent residents with Chinese citizenship are allowed to obtain the Mainland Outbound Tour Leader's certificate and can work for international travel agencies capable of managing outbound tourism business in the mainland, as well as for Hong Kong and Macau agencies that are allowed to operate Hong Kong and Macau group tour business.