Its executive director, Timothy Chui, made the comment after New Star Travel abruptly stopped operations last week, citing the pandemic and difficulties with scams.
As of Friday, the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) had received 140 inquiries from the public over the closure, involving HK$360,000.
The TIA said New Star Travel informed the authorities on February 9 that it hoped to cease operations on February 23.
Chui said agencies had to inform the authority 14 days in advance that they intend to close, but don’t necessarily have to make a public announcement.
“If it is a travel agency with very high sales, informing the public about their plan to shut is reasonable and appropriate… but some agencies have a different business,” he told an RTHK radio programme.
“Some focusing on retail have connections…
