In general, “Travel Agency” means a company that arrange and organise services related to transportation & accommodations. In fact, travel agencies can provide far more services to customers than ticketing and hotels reservation. If you want to start a travel agencies business , you will need to apply for a Travel Agent’s license and Business Permit from Travel Industry Authority (TIA).
Criteria for applying Travel Agent’s License?
- Incorporate your business properly in Company Registry
- Valid Business Registration
- The Travel Agencies license holder needs to fulfill below conditions
- Not an undischarged bankrupt;
- No criminal record;
- Not a mentally disordered person;
- Any payment arrangement with business creditors;
- Taking care of the application and renew of license, permit and pass;
- Response for the management of the travel agent business.
- Capital requirement: HKD500,000 or above
- HKD500,000 as a guarantee money in the form of bank guarantee
- Assign an authorized representative and the representative have to fulfil below conditions
- Not an undischarged bankrupt;
- Any payment arrangement with business creditors;
- No criminal record;
- Not a mentally disordered person;
- Management role in the travel agencies;
- Secondary Education Level and 5-year tourism management experience or 10 years tourism management;
- Completed TIA authorized representative course
Criteria for issue business permit
- Applicant holds a valid travel agent licence.
- The local place of business and the location of the place are suitable for travel agent business. For example, you cannot set up a travel agencies with your residential address, virtual office or work space sharing office. While, you need to also have a company sigh on your main door for people to easily identify your travel agencies.
How Long does it take for the Licensing ?
The process takes 4-6 weeks. You can apply the travel agent’s license and the business permit at the same time.
For further information, please contact us.
You may want to read: THE NITTY GRITTY OF SETTING UP A BUSINESS IN HONG KONG