Government finally suspends 3A Holidays' licence

Blame it on poor crisis management and tour operation standards.

In a report, the Travel Agents Registry announced that the Travel Agent Licence of 3A Holidays Company has been suspended.

The report said, following a series of complaints by travellers against the Mainland inbound tours received by 3A Holidays during the Lunar New Year, the Travel Industry Council launched an investigation hearing after which the council suspended 3A Holidays' membership on February 21.

The registry summoned controllers of 3A Holidays to a hearing at 3pm today to ascertain whether it had been carrying on business contrary to public interest.

After investigation, in relation to the four Mainland inbound tours which 3A Holidays has admitted responsibility for receiving, it was found that 3A Holidays has admittedly been ignorant of the requirements of most of the council's Codes of Business Practices and Directives.

It has failed to enter into written contracts with Mainland travel agents and service agreements with tour guides; and demarcation of rights and responsibilities between 3A Holidays and Mainland travel agents on tour reception and tour guide arrangements was vague.

3A Holidays has not confirmed, and has refused to accept to have the duty to confirm, accommodation for tour members prior to their arrival. Its failure to ensure provision of proper accommodation has seriously infringed their interests.

The registrar considered that the standard of 3A Holidays' tour operation and management as well as its crisis management of tourism incidents were poor. It said 3A Holidays is not capable of carrying on its business in the public interest.

3A Holidays has not only caused serious infringements upon the interests of travellers, the series of incidents have also jeopardised the reputation and image of the Hong Kong tourism industry.

The registrar has decided to suspend 3A Holidays' licence until its expiry on November 12, or approval of reinstatement of the licence.