NZ, China in bid to end tour scams

New Zealand's government tourism agency is working with Chinese authorities to raise awareness of potential souvenir scams aimed at Asian tourists, a senior official said on Wednesday.

With two companies and two of their managers fined last month for mislabeling and overpricing souvenirs, and more prosecutions imminent, Tourism New Zealand is spreading the message that exploitation will not be tolerated, said general manager corporate affairs, Chris Roberts.

"We have communicated with authorities in China and we believe Chinese visitors will be pleased to know that New Zealand does not tolerate exploitation of our international guests," Roberts said in an e-mail interview.