The TIC Travel Agent IT Development Matching Fund is a government subsidy programme designed to support SMEs in the travel agency sector in implementing IT solutions. Through a dollar-for-dollar matching mechanism, the scheme helps agencies increase operational efficiency, service quality, and competitiveness both locally and internationally.
The TIC Travel Agent Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme is now closed for applications. Click the button below to learn more about other government funding schemes.
Travel agencies licensed under the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634) by the Travel Industry Council, holding a valid travel agent licence and conducting genuine travel agency operations in Hong Kong, meet the eligibility criteria to apply for funding. In short, any properly registered and legally operating travel agency in Hong Kong may consider applying for the Travel Agent Matching Fund.
The Hong Kong Government has allocated a total of HK$70 million for the Travel Agent Matching Fund Scheme. Funding is distributed to eligible travel agencies on a matching basis to support projects aligned with the scheme’s objectives. The government subsidy for each project is capped at 50% of the total approved project expenditure. Travel agencies applying for the fund must cover the remaining 50% of the project cost themselves, which must be paid in cash.
In addition, each travel agency may apply for funding for a maximum of six approved projects, with a total funding ceiling of HK$300,000. This amount includes subsidies already received for all approved projects since 2016.
The funding under the Travel Agent Matching Fund primarily covers the following two categories:
*All equipment, hardware, software, or services acquired, leased, or subscribed to with government subsidy must be authorised products and must not violate any third-party intellectual property rights.
Travel agencies intending to apply for the Travel Agent Matching Fund must submit a series of documents to verify their eligibility and outline the planned project in detail. The following list comprises the required application documents for the scheme:
*In addition, applicant travel agencies may be required to submit the originals of documents (iii) and (iv) to the Secretariat for verification purposes.
Travel agencies licensed under the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634) by the Travel Industry Council, holding a valid travel agent licence and conducting genuine travel agency operations in Hong Kong, meet the eligibility criteria to apply for funding. In short, any properly registered and legally operating travel agency in Hong Kong may consider applying for the Travel Agent Matching Fund.
The Hong Kong Government has allocated a total of HK$70 million for the Travel Agent Matching Fund Scheme. Funding is distributed to eligible travel agencies on a matching basis to support projects aligned with the scheme’s objectives. The government subsidy for each project is capped at 50% of the total approved project expenditure. Travel agencies applying for the fund must cover the remaining 50% of the project cost themselves, which must be paid in cash.
In addition, each travel agency may apply for funding for a maximum of six approved projects, with a total funding ceiling of HK$300,000. This amount includes subsidies already received for all approved projects since 2016.
The funding under the Travel Agent Matching Fund primarily covers the following two categories:
*All equipment, hardware, software, or services acquired, leased, or subscribed to with government subsidy must be authorised products and must not violate any third-party intellectual property rights.
Travel agencies intending to apply for the Travel Agent Matching Fund must submit a series of documents to verify their eligibility and outline the planned project in detail. The following list comprises the required application documents for the scheme:
*In addition, applicant travel agencies may be required to submit the originals of documents (iii) and (iv) to the Secretariat for verification purposes.
The following table summarises seven illustrative examples of technology solutions supported by the Travel Agent Matching Fund:
AI-powered chatbots improve the efficiency of query handling and customer communication, delivering instant support and tailored services to clients.
Develop mobile applications or utilise augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies to provide customers with convenient travel experiences, enhancing the enjoyment of exploration and interaction.
Develop and promote marketing content on e-commerce platforms, social media, search engines, or video/social apps to expand sales channels and increase brand exposure.
① Revamp and optimize the website to perform seamlessly on multiple types of mobile devices, improving user experience and accessibility.
② Leverage Location-Based Services (LBS) to deliver customised services and promotional content tailored to the customer’s current location, including weather information and local tourism suggestions.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data to improve service delivery efficiency and customer relationship management (CRM), and automate customer interactions and optimize marketing.
Implement office automation technologies to improve operational efficiency and productivity, including communication with suppliers and staff, document processing, and accounting workflows.
Implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures, encompassing network, endpoint, and cloud security solutions, to safeguard the company against cyberattacks and data leakage.
As technology advances rapidly, information technology plays a crucial role for travel agencies in enhancing service quality and strengthening market competitiveness. The Travel Agent Matching Fund was established to help travel agencies fully leverage these advanced technologies.
The technology examples provided above for the Travel Agent Matching Fund do not constitute an exhaustive list of eligible IT solutions. Any other information technology that helps improve a travel agency’s productivity, management, and service quality, and enhances its competitiveness in local or overseas markets, may also be considered under the TIC Travel Agent Matching Fund.
Each approved project under the fund is eligible for a government subsidy of 50% of its total approved expenditure, with the travel agency required to contribute the remaining 50% in cash. The travel agency’s contribution must be monetary and cannot be replaced by in-kind items. Since the implementation of the optimisation measures on 8 April 2024, a travel agency may be subsidised for up to six approved projects, with a cumulative funding cap of HK$300,000, inclusive of subsidies received for approved projects since 2016.
If a project has already started or been completed, it is not eligible for funding under the Travel Agent Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme. Travel agencies must submit their application before the project begins and plan ahead, rather than applying retroactively.
If the project you are applying for, or any part of it, has already received or will receive funding from other government schemes, or sponsorship or donations from other sources, it is not eligible for the Travel Agent Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme. In short, double-dipping is not allowed.
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