Cash subsidies provided by the sixth round of the subsidy scheme for supporting the tourism industry under the Anti-epidemic Fund, which amount to over $251 million, were disbursed to over 99 per cent of eligible persons today (January 27). Relevant payments were deposited directly to the designated bank accounts of some 1 510 travel agents, some 17 150 travel agents' staff and freelance accredited tourist guides and tour escorts whose main occupation is/was tourist guide and tour escort, and about 3 350 drivers of tour service coaches who are/were mainly serving tourists.
Details of the sixth round of the subsidy scheme for the tourism industry are as follows:
(1) travel agents: travel agents with 10 or less staff members are provided with a subsidy at a flat rate of $50,000 each; for travel agents with 11 staff members or more, the subsidy level is directly proportional to the number of staff members they have, with a subsidy level of $5,000 per staff member as the basis of calculation;
(2) travel agents' staff and freelance accredited tourist guides and tour escorts whose main occupation is/was tourist guide and tour escort: each is provided with a one-off subsidy of $7,500; and
(3) drivers of tour service coaches who are/were mainly serving tourists: a one-off subsidy of $3,350 is provided to each tour service coach driver.
The Tourism Commission reminded that eligible travel agents and their staff, who have never applied for a subsidy or have not applied in the last round, are required to submit an application with documentary proof to the Travel Agents Registry on or before February 7. The application guidelines and forms have been uploaded to the Tourism Commission's website (www.tourism.gov.hk).
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