To assist travel agents to tackle the financial difficulties arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government has established the Travel Agents Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund. Each eligible travel agent may receive a one-off subsidy of $80,000. The scheme has been open for registration since the approval of the Anti-epidemic Fund by the Legislative Council Finance Committee on February 21. The deadline for registration is March 13.
The Government announced the establishment of the scheme on February 14, 2020. All travel agents holding a valid travel agent licence as at February 14 are eligible for registration. The registration form and guideline can be downloaded from the website of the Travel Agents Registry (TAR) (www.tar.gov.hk) or obtained from its office (Address: Room 4901, 49/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong).
The registration procedure is simple and convenient. Travel agents can submit the completed registration forms together with documentary proof of their bank account to the TAR by post or in person. They can also file the registration forms and supporting documents via fax or email but are required to submit the original registration forms afterwards.
The Government will verify the original registration forms upon receipt. Generally, once the supporting document is submitted, it is estimated that the disbursement of subsidies could be arranged in about 14 working days.
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