The Agreement on Trade in Services covers and consolidates commitments relating to liberalisation of trade in services provided in CEPA and its Supplements and also the Agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Achieving Basic Liberalisation of Trade in Services in Guangdong.

For details about the cooperation in tourism under the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (Ecotech Agreement), please refer to the Ecotech Agreement. 

Rules and regulations promulgated by the Mainland authorities relating to the implementation of commitments under CEPA :

• "Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China" (2018 Revision - Oct 2018) (in Chinese only)
• "Measures for Tourism Administrative Licensing" (Order of the China National Tourism Administration No.46 - Mar 2018) (in Chinese only)

Establishment of Travel Agencies

• According to the "Regulation on Travel Agencies" (2020 Revision - Nov 2020) (in Chinese only), when applying for the operation of domestic tourism business and inbound tourism business, one shall have obtained the qualification of an enterprise legal person, and have registered capital of not less than RMB 300,000. According to the "Implementation Details of the Regulation on Travel Agencies" (2016 Revision - Dec 2016) (in Chinese only), the business premises of travel agencies shall meet the following requirements:
  1. The applicant shall have the property rights of the business premises, or have been leased the business premises for not less than one year;
  2. The business premises shall be able to satisfy the applicant's needs for business operation.
• For details, please refer to:
  • "Regulation on Travel Agencies" (2020 Revision - Nov 2020) (in Chinese only)
  • "Implementation Details of the Regulation on Travel Agencies" (2016 Revision - Dec 2016) (in Chinese only)
  • "Notice of the State Council of Issuing Several Measures for Promoting the Reform and Innovation of Trade and Investment Facilitation in Pilot Free Trade Zones" (Circular of the State Council No. 12 - Sep 2021) (in Chinese only)
  • "Announcement of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Concerning the Specifications for the Implementation of Administrative Licensing Items" (May 2023) (in Chinese only)

Operating Outbound Travel Business for Mainland Residents

• According to the "Regulation on Travel Agencies" (2020 Revision - Nov 2020) (in Chinese only), travel agencies applying to operate outbound travel business shall have obtained the operation license for at least 2 years, and shall not be subject to any punishment more serious than a fine by administrative authorities for infringing the legitimate rights and interests of tourists.
• For details, please refer to:
  • "Regulation on Travel Agencies" (2020 Revision - Nov 2020) (in Chinese only)
  • "Measures for the Administration of Overseas Tours of Chinese Citizens" (2017 Revision - Mar 2017) (in Chinese only)
  • "Interim Measures for the Supervision and Administration of the Pilot Operation of Outbound Tourism Business by Sino-foreign Joint Venture Travel Agencies" (Decree of the Chinese National Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Commerce No. 33 - Sep 2010) (in Chinese only)
  • "Announcement of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Concerning the Specifications for the Implementation of Administrative Licensing Items" (May 2023) (in Chinese only)
• Operating Group Tours for Mainland Residents to Hong Kong and Macao
  • According to the "Notice of the General Office of the China National Tourism Administration on Implementing the Tourism-related Measures under 'Supplement IX to CEPA'" (Circular of the China National Tourism Administration Office No. 566 - Jan 2013) (in Chinese only), Hong Kong travel agencies established on a wholly-owned or joint venture basis in the Mainland may apply for the operation of group tours to Hong Kong and Macao for residents registered with permanent residence in the province, autonomous region or municipality where the travel agency locates.
• Operating Group Tours for Mainland Residents to Destinations beyond Hong Kong and Macao (excluding Taiwan)
  • According to the Agreement on Trade in Services, the Mainland allows 5 qualified Hong Kong travel agencies set up on a wholly-owned basis to operate outbound group tours for Mainland residents on a pilot basis to destinations beyond Hong Kong and Macao (excluding Taiwan). In addition, there is no longer any restriction on the number of Mainland-Hong Kong joint venture travel agencies operating outbound group tours for Mainland residents to destinations beyond Hong Kong and Macao (excluding Taiwan). For details, please refer to:
    • "Announcement on Issuing Tourism-related Measures in the 'Agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong (Macao) on Achieving Basic Liberalisation of Trade in Services in Guangdong' under 'Mainland and Hong Kong (Macao) Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement'" (National Tourism Administration Circular No.5 - Feb 2015) (in Chinese only)

Tourist Guides in the Mainland

• According to the Agreement on Trade in Services, Hong Kong permanent residents with Chinese citizenship may take the "Mainland Qualification Examination for Tourist Guide". Those who have passed the examination can obtain the "Mainland Tourist Guide Certificate" and register to obtain tourist guide credential in accordance with the relevant requirements.
• According to the "Notice on Matters relating to Permanent Residents of Hong Kong and Macao with Chinese citizenship applying to take the Mainland Qualification Examination for Tourist Guide" (Circular of the National Tourism Administration No. 174 - Nov 2008) (in Chinese only), Hong Kong permanent residents applying to take the "Mainland Qualification Examination for Tourist Guide" shall be a Chinese citizen and be able to satisfy the application requirements stipulated in the "Regulations on Administration of Tourist Guides" (2017 Revision - Oct 2017) (in Chinese only), including:
  1. Have the academic qualification of high school, vocational training school or above;
  2. Be physically healthy;
  3. Have the basic knowledge and language skills for exercising the duties of a tourist guide.
• For details, please refer to:
  • "Notice on Matters relating to Permanent Residents of Hong Kong and Macao with Chinese citizenship applying to take the Mainland Qualification Examination for Tourist Guide" (Circular of the National Tourism Administration No. 174 - Nov 2008) (in Chinese only)
  • "Regulations on Administration of Tourist Guides" (2017 Revision - Oct 2017) (in Chinese only)
  • "Measures for the Administration of Tourist Guides" (Decree of the Chinese National Tourism Administration No. 44 - Nov 2017) (in Chinese only)
  • "Announcement of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Concerning the Specifications for the Implementation of Administrative Licensing Items" (May 2023) (in Chinese only)

Enquiries concerning the application procedures and requirements for the provision of travel agency and tour operator services in the Mainland can be directed to ：

• The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Implementation of the Tourism-related Measures under Supplement IX to CEPA (in Chinese only)