Govt urged to relax tour guide licensing rules

A tourism industry leader has urged the authorities to make it easier for people to become licensed tour guides, saying the trade lacks foreign language speakers and individuals who can give educational tours around the city. Fanny Yeung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, on Sunday said the focus for tourists has shifted from visiting the usual attractions to looking for experiences while in Hong Kong. While the concept of "in-depth tourism" is taking shape, Yeung said, there is a need to find individuals able to lead immersive guided tours. “It's not only the traditional tour guides we are looking for, we are also looking for some docents, especially knowing the in-depth stories of a particular place. In Hong Kong, there are so many different kinds of spots, so many different kinds of stories," she told RTHK. She also said the industry needs more tour guides who can speak foreign languages such as Thai and Russian, and officials should be more flexible in granting a licence. Currently to be a tour guide, individuals must pass an examination, on top of having completed a six- to eight-week training course or holding a university degree. “You can have other kinds of requirements... For example, they have [attended] several docent trainings or they have been working in a travel agency for other kinds of roles, and if they also pass the examination, then they can be considered to be granted a tour guide licence," she said. "In that case, we can attract more people to come into the industry, even as a part-timer."

Govt urged to relax tour guide licensing rules

Govt urged to relax tour guide licensing rules

Govt urged to relax tour guide licensing rules

Govt urged to relax tour guide licensing rules

Govt urged to relax tour guide licensing rules