An investigation is underway in Hong Kong after a mainland tour group had to spend their first night in the city on a coach because their travel agency had not booked rooms for them. Tuesday's incident could lead to the agency's license being suspended.
A night on coach and a spoiled dream trip to Hong Kong. 30 tourists from Chinese mainland were told by their organizer, 3A Holidays, that they had no place to stay because the agency had failed to book hotel rooms.
One third of them chose to stay in other hotels, leaving about 20 people spending their first night in Hong Kong in a coach.
"I thought the trip would be great, because Hong Kong is shopping heaven. We're here to have a good time during the Spring Festival holiday. But I've felt numb since Tuesday. Now I just want to finish the trip quickly and go back home."
The travel agency arranged another hotel for the tourists the next day.
Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council is investigating the issue but is yet to release any details about compensation. The agency 3A Holidays has been told to present a report on the issue within seven days and could be punished for violation of rules.
Dong Yaozhong, secretary of HK Travel Industry Council, said:" This kind of incident cannot be tolerated. We have repeatedly stressed to all travel agencies in Hong Kong that they must book hotels, buses and tour guides before tourists arrive. We will deal with this case severely because it has a negative effect on the image of Hong Kong."
Most of the tourists left Hong Kong on Thursday. The Hong Kong Travel Industry Council reminds tourists to leave contact information if they appeal in such cases, because they may need to provide evidence during an investigation.
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