Campaign takes aim at tour operators

China is taking action against tour operators who engage in illegal practices — including forcing travelers to shop at designated stores — with the aim of protecting consumers and ensuring a safe and more enjoyable travel experience.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, together with the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation, has launched a yearlong campaign to tighten supervision and enforcement over "forced shopping" practices, which involve pressuring tourists to buy goods at specific stores in exchange for rebates.

The culture and tourism ministry on Wednesday also published a list of 12 companies and three individuals accused of violating tourism regulations, including operating without licenses, forcing tourists to shop and organizing low-priced tours with hidden additional payments. The ministry said it will continue updating the list to deter dishonest operators.

"The practice of forced shopping has severely infringed upon tourists' rights, and stronger government action is required," Yu Changguo, deputy director of market management at the ministry, said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Authorities will work together to crack down on operators that lure travelers with unusually low-priced tours, then pressure them into shopping at designated stores while collecting commissions. Other illegal activities, including unauthorized business operations, fraudulent advertising and price manipulation, will also incur strict punishment, officials said.

With the summer travel peak underway during the July-August school vacation period, the ministry said it will send undercover inspection teams to online travel platforms, brick-and-mortar agencies and popular destinations to check for forced shopping practices and potential safety hazards at entertainment sites.

The Ministry of Transport said that railway passenger trips from July 1 to Aug 31 are expected to reach 953 million, a year-on-year increase of 5.8 percent.

Liu Nan, an official at the culture and tourism ministry, said the government will intensify efforts to tackle tourism-related cases involving large sums of money or that have a significant social impact.

"We hope that tourists whose rights have been violated can keep their tourism contracts, travel itineraries, payment records and chat or video evidence, and report promptly to the authorities," Liu said.

Yu also warned travelers to watch out for fraudulent tourism ads and low-priced tours that may not disclose additional fees or risks of property loss. He advised travelers to check the credentials of travel agencies and qualifications of guides and avoid booking tours without standard contracts.