HONG KONG - Consumer Council chief executive Pamela Chan has criticised Hong Kong’s Travel Industry Council (TIC) for not doing enough to protect consumers, citing rising complaints against travel agents last year. The Council received 954 complaints, nearly 50 more than in 2000. Chan says the council should safeguard public interests rather than function as a general trade association, according to a South China Morning Post report today. Chan recommended that TIC carefully examine issues within its self-regulatory structure openly and regularly with feedback from those outside the industry . She sees the need for a licensing scheme to regulate inbound agents and an appeals mechanism to help those who fall prey to corrupt operators. Joseph Tung, TIC executive director agrees there is room for improvement, but believes the council has already taken the appropriate measures to protect consumers. Tung says TIC has already created a consumer relations committee and appeals board; introduced an outbound agents’ code of conduct; requested shops to give a full, cash refund to unsatisfied customers; and independent directors will increase from four to eight.