Support for SMEs

To encourage the trade to develop more thematic tours, thereby promoting the long-term and sustainable development of tourism industry

The Government launched the three-year Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme (CHIS) in October 2022 which aims at incentivizing the travel trade to develop more tourism products and itineraries with cultural and heritage elements. CHIS received enthusiastic response from the trade with characteristic tourism products rolled out one after another. As such, the Government announced in the 2023 Policy Address that CHIS will be transformed into Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme (CTIS) to provide more in-depth itinerary design, training, etc., with a view to encouraging the trade to develop more thematic tours, including national history, green ecology, marine, traditional culture, pop culture, intangible cultural heritage experiences, night time adventure, etc., thereby promoting the long-term and sustainable development of tourism industry.

The Government has announced the launch of the Phase 2 of the CTIS to further encourage the travel trade to develop more in-depth itineraries with different distinctive themes, so as to attract inbound tourists to explore unique local characteristics of Hong Kong. The enhanced measures for the Phase 2 of CTIS took effect on 1 October 2024. 

Eligible travel agents are required to develop in-depth travel itineraries under 6 distinctive themes, namely Great Green Escape, Water Adventure, Legacy of Joy, HK Pop Culture, Journey Through National History, and Unconventional Journey. From 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive of both dates), travel agents may receive cash incentive in respect of each inbound tourist served from their eligible tours.

For more details, please visit the Scheme's website.

The Applicant must be a travel agent that fulfils the following two conditions concurrently:

1. Holding a valid travel agent’s licence issued under the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634) at the time when making an application; and
2. Continuing to hold a valid travel agent’s licence when cash incentives are disbursed by the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.

The Applicant must submit the application to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong in respect of the local and / or inbound tour it served on or before the last day of the month following the departure date of the tour. Late submissions will not be accepted by the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.