According to Miss Ivy Chan, assistant manager of the Training and General Administration Department of the Travel Industry Council, the number of complaints received from tourists about outbound tour escorts has dropped since the implementation of the system.

Said she: “Among all complaints, only a small number concerns tour escorts.”

Many people still have unpleasant travel experiences related to unprofessional outbound tour escorts.

Miss Joey Leung, 19, who joined an outbound tour to Japan in 1999, said, “I would not join the tour if I had known that the professional standard of our outbound tour escort was so poor.”

During her trip, her tour escort seldom showed up. The local tour guide made nearly all of the arrangements.

Besides, he seemed ignorant about Japan. Sometimes he promised to look up information for members of the tour, but he never did.

She agreed that the quality of the tour escorts should be upgraded. Hence she supported the system.

“It could at least screen out some unprofessional tour escorts.

“It ensures us consumers with a safe and enjoyable tour,” said Miss Leung.

Mr. Billy Fong, 21, who joined a tour to Japan in 1998, was more fortunate.

Said he: “During the trip, the tour escort was very helpful and knowledgeable.

“His instructions and explanations were clear. He spoke fluent Japanese. Sometimes he even helped us bargain with local shopkeepers.

Mr. Fong agreed that the standard of outbound tour escorts varies in Hong Kong.

During a trip by Mr. Fong’s to Thailand in 1999, the tour escort neither tried to communicate nor introduce the country to the tourists.

However, when it was time to pay tips, the tour escort asked tourists to pay more.

Yet Mr. Fong wondered why the council did not provide internships for escorts.

Said he: “The council should include an internship programme in the training and grade their performance accordingly.

Miss Debbie Chan, a Year 1 student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said, “The permit system is better than none. There was no big difference after its implementation.

“Though the permit acts as a recognition for the outbound tour escorts, it does not ensure their professionalism,” she said.

According to Mr. Alan Wong, lecturer in the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, reputation is always crucial in the travel industry. He supports the idea of licencing and training outbound tour escorts. “A well-trained tour escort can impress tourists and in turn promote the goodwill of the company. “In the past, a tour agency with good reputation could nearly monopolise all tours to a specific tour destination.” Moreover, he believes that the current system acts as protection for tour escorts since the licence is regarded as a sign of qualification. In addition, some of the entry requirements for the examination such as a first-aid certificate equip tour escorts with necessary skills and knowledge to deal with foreseeable emergencies. Nevertheless, he said that the existing system still has room for improvements. “Though it is a good start to provide proper training for tour escorts, in the long run, a more substantial programme is preferable. “Apart from the basic knowledge of leading a tour, a good tour escort should also have good communication skills and knowledge of other cultures. “After all, formal training and an examination system is the key to strive for professionalism,” explained Mr. Wong.