:Hong Kong Tourism Board

• Hong Kong International Airport – Transfer Area and Buffer Halls A and B, Arrivals Level, Terminal 1
• Lo Wu – Arrival Hall, 2/F, Lo Wu Terminal Building, Lo Wu Control Point
• Hong Kong Island – The Peak Piazza
• Kowloon – Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui

The HKTB Board is operated by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government and is made up of 20 members from various industries. The Commissioner for Tourism, who is a government official, holds the capacity as Deputy Chairman of the HKTB.{{Cite web|url=http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/about-hktb/structure-and-management/hktb-board-members.jsp|title=HKTB Board Members}}

Launched in November 1999, the Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme ({{lang|zh-HK|優質旅遊服務}}) is an accreditation programme which promotes service excellence among local businesses and assists customers with identifying quality service providers. To qualify, a merchant must fulfil a prescribed criteria and undergo annual assessments. Initially, only shops and restaurants were covered by the QTS scheme. The scheme was extended to accommodations and hair salons in November 2006 and March 2010 respectively.

As of March 2010, over 7,200 merchant outlets have been accredited under the QTS scheme.{{cite web| url=http://partnernet.hktb.com/pnweb/jsp/doc/listDoc.jsp?charset=en&doc_id=130857| title=Press Release: HKTB EXTENDS QUALITY TOURISM SERVICES SCHEME TO HAIRDRESSING INDUSTRY| author=Hong Kong Tourism Board| date=1 April 2010}} The QTS scheme is one of the most successful consumer protection programmes in Hong Kong. The Intellectual Property Department reported in 2008 that 4,700 outlets had joined its "No Fakes Pledge" – another well-known consumer protection programme in the territory.{{cite web| url=http://www.ipd.gov.hk/eng/pub_press/press_releases/Press_Release_e.pdf| title=Press Release: 10th anniversary celebration of "No Fakes Pledge" scheme| author=Intellectual Property Department| date=19 July 2008}}

All accredited merchants must display the gold and black QTS sign on their shop windows for recognition. After the launch of the QTS scheme, the use of membership badges bearing the iconic red junk logos of the former HKTA was discontinued in 2000. The HKTA membership badge was first introduced in 1965.{{cite web| url=http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/about-hktb/images/2007-2008-02.pdf| title=HKTB Annual Report 2007/2008 – 50 Years of Hong Kong Tourism| author=Hong Kong Tourism Board| year=2008| access-date=8 November 2010| archive-date=4 March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091102/http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/about-hktb/images/2007-2008-02.pdf| url-status=dead}}

Starring famous Hong Kong actor/singer/producer Andy Lau, the 2003 commercial was inspired by Lau's 2002 blockbuster movie Infernal Affairs – a movie about an undercover cop and a bad cop working for the triads. The core message of the commercial is shops selling genuine goods and providing high standard service should set themselves apart from dishonest merchants by getting the QTS accreditation. The commercial is currently still aired from time to time.{{cite web|url=http://partnernet.hktb.com/pnweb/jsp/doc/HKTB_listDoc.jsp?charset=&doc_id=61456 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711172550/http://partnernet.hktb.com/pnweb/jsp/doc/HKTB_listDoc.jsp?charset=&doc_id=61456 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2011 |title=Press Release: Quality Tourism Services Scheme Enhancement Ensures Better Protection For Visitors |author=Hong Kong Tourism Board |date=19 December 2003 }}{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3B9a_-lWWE| title=Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme API| author=Hong Kong Tourism Board| website=YouTube| year=2003}}

The QTS commercial is often confused with another public service announcement (PSA) promoting quality services which was also fronted by Andy Lau. The PSA was filmed in 2002 by the Information Services Department.{{cite web| url=http://www.info.gov.hk/isd/tvapi/service1/english/high_eng.htm| title=TV Announcement: Success Starts with Quality Service| author=Information Services Department| year=2002}}{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF_sRQQS8No |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/cF_sRQQS8No |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live| title=優質服務 致勝之道| author=Information Services Department|website=YouTube | year=2002}}{{cbignore}} There were 5 different versions all featuring rude vs. courteous shop assistants and drivers. Titled "Success Starts with Quality Service" ({{lang|zh-HK|優質服務 致勝之道}}), the PSA was a huge success as one of Lau's lines, "Service like this just isn't good enough in today's standard" ({{lang|yue-HK|今時今日咁嘅服務態度未夠架}}) has become a popular Hong Kong slang term used to describe poor service or a bad-tempered person.

Simply by presenting his/her travel document and a copy of QTS promotional leaflet at a participating QTS merchant, visitors can enjoy special privileges ranging from exclusive discount to small gift (e.g. a free silk tee for purchasing a suit at a custom tailor). In addition to displaying the QTS gold and black sign, participating QTS merchants would also display the red VIP Offers sign as recognition. The VIP Offers programme was discontinued on 31 December 2008.

Investigations were launched against one of the 3D-GOLD outlets after 40 customers complained that they had been harassed by the staff and had been prevented from leaving the shop. The entire 3D-GOLD chain store was stripped of its QTS status with effect from 1 December 2004.{{cite web| url=http://partnernet.hktb.com/pnweb/jsp/doc/listDoc.jsp?charset=en&doc_id=75710| title=Press Release: Termination of QTS Status of 3D-GOLD| author=Hong Kong Tourism Board| date=23 February 2005}} This was the first termination in the scheme's history.

The original 3D-GOLD Jewellery Holdings got into more controversies with the sudden death of its chairman, delisting from the stock exchange and it was on the verge of liquidation by the end of 2008. In July 2009, the jeweller was officially taken over by Hong Kong Resources Holdings ({{sehk|2882}}).

The QTS status of the new 3D-GOLD chain was later reinstated after it had passed the assessment.

The Audit Commission carried out a comprehensive audit on the HKTB in 2006 – 07. In the report released in October 2007, an entire section was devoted to the QTS scheme. The commission made 3 recommendations suggesting HKTB should take action to improve the scheme and reduce the number of complaints, explore ways to achieve self-financing and encourage more operators to apply for the QTS Visitor Accommodation Scheme.{{cite web| url=http://www.aud.gov.hk/pdf_e/e49ch06_sum.pdf| title=Report No. 49 of the Director of Audit| author=Audit Commission| date=October 2007}} In response, HKTB committed to creating more places in the quality training workshops for merchants and co-operate with the Home Affairs Department to proactively promote QTS Visitor Accommodation Scheme.{{cite web| url=http://partnernet.hktb.com/pnweb/primg/Summary%20table-E%20Final.pdf| title=Director of Audit No. 49 – Hong Kong Tourism Board Summary of Improvement Measures| author=Hong Kong Tourism Board| date=December 2007}}

The QTS status of 3 merchants specialised in the bird's nest – a Chinese delicacy – were terminated on the 27 July 2007. The 3 merchants had publicly admitted infringement of another merchant's trademark.{{cite web| url=http://partnernet.hktb.com/pnweb/jsp/doc/listDoc.jsp?charset=en&doc_id=102181| title=Press Release: Statement of Termination| author=Hong Kong Tourism Board| date=27 July 2007}}

In a bid to save HK $2 million annually (US$256,000) in operating costs, HKTB announced on 5 November 2010 that the assessment work of QTS merchants had been outsourced to the Productivity Council, while the work to engage merchants to offer discounts for visitors had been outsourced to AQ Communications. The saving will fund extra marketing work for the QTS scheme. As a result, the jobs of 17 permanent and contract staff of the Partnership & Quality Tourism Services Department had been made redundant with immediate effect. Only 5 staff would be retained to monitor the outsourced work.{{cite web| url=http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=927db64a8fc1c210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News| title=Tourism Board cutbacks queried| author=South China Morning Post| date=6 November 2010| access-date=8 November 2010| archive-date=21 March 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321214900/http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=927db64a8fc1c210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News| url-status=dead}}

Local media reported that the staff affected were first notified at 3pm on the same day of the announcement and were asked to leave by the end of the day. They were given compensation in accordance with the local labour laws but were denied internal transfer to other vacant positions within the organisation.{{cite web| url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/template/apple/art_main.php?iss_id=20101106&sec_id=4104&subsec=11867&art_id=14632849| title=旅發局縮開支 炒17人| author=Apple Daily| date=6 November 2010}} A staff had expressed anger at being kept in the dark about the tendering of the outsourced work in a newspaper interview.{{cite web| url=http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20101106/00176_007.html| title=旅發局年尾炒17人| author=Oriental Daily| date=6 November 2010}}

HKTB Deputy Executive Director Daisy Lam later reiterated to the media at an event launch function that the outsourcing was a result of an organizational review conducted a year ago in 2009.{{cite web| url=http://www.hkdailynews.com.hk/news.php?id=131184| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006140622/http://www.hkdailynews.com.hk/news.php?id=131184| url-status=dead| archive-date=6 October 2011| title=「優質旅遊」外判 旅發局17員工遣散| author=Hong Kong Daily News| date=8 November 2010}}

In an interview to local newspapers, Legislator Lee Cheuk-yan questioned about the quality of work after the outsourcing. Lee was also concerned that the affected staff will be unable to secure another job as the end of the year. Another lawmaker Wong Kwok-h

Hing criticized HKTB for setting a bad example and he feared the private sector may follow suit.

Daisy Lam responded to critics that in addition to compensation, those affected may consider a transfer to the two outsourced bodies. Lam was not worried others would follow HKTB's move as other companies should make their own judgment call.

• June 2013 - "Hong Kong Live at The Grove" brought excitement and splendours of Asia's World City to Los Angeles' premier retail and entertainment destination with an unforgettable three days of dynamic cultural immersion highlighting gourmet Cantonese cuisine, talented performers and sophisticated jazz fusion music. Guests were also visually immersed in an exciting and exclusive art installation from celebrated Hong Kong architect William Lim and designer Kevin Lim{{cite web |url=https://openuu.com/kevin-lim/ |title=Kevin Lim |access-date=2013-06-01}} of OPENUU,{{cite web |url=https://openuu.com/portfolio/hong-kong-tourism-board-la/ |title=Hong Kong, The Big Catch. |access-date=2013-06-01}} melding Eastern tradition with Western contemporary style for a dynamic and stunning visual display aptly titled "Hong Kong, The Big Catch."{{cite web |url=https://openuu.com/portfolio/hong-kong-tourism-board-la/ |title=Hong Kong, The Big Catch. |access-date=2013-06-01}}

• November 2022 - Guests to the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit will be given free coupons as gifts to the Wine and Dine Festival, from the HKTB, where they can be redeemed at 210 restaurants and bars for free cocktails or other drinks.{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Bars rejoice as Drink Around Town returns |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/50017483/246739/Bars-rejoice-as-Drink-Around-Town-returns |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=The Standard |language=en}} The tickets are reserved and separate from the 50,000 allocated to the public.
• In 2023, Hong Kong launches "Hello Hong Kong" campaign, offering 500,000 free airfares to boost tourism. {{Cite web |last=Manning |first=James |date=2023-05-17 |title=The next phase of Hong Kong's free plane ticket giveaway starts today |url=https://www.timeout.com/news/hong-kong-will-pay-for-your-plane-ticket-to-visit-in-2023-heres-how-to-apply-030223 |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Time Out Worldwide |language=en-GB}}

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• [http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.jsp Hong Kong Tourism Board Official Website]

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Hong Kong, Tourism

Category:Tourism agencies in China

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